Europe | Europe’s populists

Marine Le Pen poses a greater threat than Giorgia Meloni

At least to the European Union and the transatlantic alliance

French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen at the podium
Image: ROPI
|PARIS

When Giorgia Meloni took over as Italy’s prime minister in October 2022, Europe’s liberals trembled. Her party, the Brothers of Italy, has roots in post-war neo-fascism, and her electoral pitch, promising a clampdown on illegal immigration, promised uncompromisingly hard-right politics. A year on, the pragmatic Ms Meloni has not turned out to be the disruptive force some feared. Which makes centrists in neighbouring France worry that this could help Marine Le Pen.

This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Greater danger”

From the October 21st 2023 edition

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