As Giorgia Meloni faces a reelection battle in 2027, the centrist opposition is no longer the biggest threat to her political dominance. The danger comes from the nationalist right in the form of General Roberto Vannacci, claims the pro-EU outlet Euractiv.
The paper acknowledges that Meloni campaigned on right-wing values, but once she was in power, she was forced to take a more centrist approach internationally due to economic interests. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen already threatened right before she came to power that the EU had “tools” to make sure Italy took the course that Brussels desired.
Apparently, this threat worked to a large degree, with Meloni mostly toeing the line. However, “that balancing act has created an opening for critics who argue she has compromised too much,” writes Euractiv.
As Meloni seeks to defend her track record, Vannacci argues that she no longer represents Italy’s nationalist right. In an interview with Euractiv, Vannacci portrayed his movement as one of the last uncompromising defenders of national sovereignty.
“We are the only ones who still defend sovereignty without hesitation,” he stated.
Vannacci served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he led the elite Folgore Parachute Brigade. In 2020, he retired from combat duty and then worked as the defense attaché at the Italian embassy in Moscow. Vannacci is vehemently opposed to the EU, skeptical of military support for Ukraine and openly criticizes what he calls “normalization” among European conservative parties.
Vannacci was previously a member of the League party and a European Parliament representative, but broke away from Matteo Salvini’s party and formed a new movement.
Vannacci presents himself as one of Europe’s last “credible” right-wing politicians and attacks parties that he considers mainstream conservative parties across Europe. Among that list, he includes Meloni and Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally. He describes them as the “watered down right-wing.” Notably, besides Meloni, the National Rally has come under fire for its sharp criticism of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the German party’s promotion of remigration.
“The normalization process pushed by the National Rally in France won’t work,” Vannacci said. “I still hope they will win the next French elections, but I have my doubts. Right-wing forces must remain true to their identity, not dilute themselves.”
As for remigration, Vannacci fully backs the concept, which he says has a deeper meaning than mere deportations.
“Remigration is not only about returns,” he told Euractiv. “It is about the right of native peoples to defend their civilization and their culture against exogenous groups.”
“We want Italians to live in Italy, just as we want every country to remain the home of its native people,” he said.
The Futuro Nazionale movement, which he recently launched, currently enjoys over 5 percent support in opinion polls, ahead of the populist League party. The party is inching towards the centrist Forza Italia party in the polling.
This flanking action from the right-wing has become a growing problem for Meloni as elections approach. The Italian MEP has suggested that the future of the prime minister will eventually depend on his political movement.
“Meloni will need Italians who want real change,” he said. “Today we represent this.”
However, when asked if he would join a coalition with Meloni, he said he had “never spoken about pacts.”
After leaving the League party, Vannacci — then a member of the Patriots for Europe — transferred in February to the European Sovereign Nations (ESN) faction at the EU level, a group of right-wing parties that includes the AfD.
