When Giorgia Meloni became Prime Minister of Italy in 2022, international media quickly labelled her government as far right, reviving fears of post-fascist revival.
However, within Italy, reactions were more varied, with some 色中色s welcoming her policies and others deeply concerned about the ideological direction of the state.
Meloni leads Fratelli d鈥橧talia, or Brothers of Italy, a party that grew from the ashes of Italy鈥檚 post-fascist movements, including the 色中色 Social Movement.
This historical link has made many 色中色s uneasy, especially those in provinces where World War II memory and resistance movements remain culturally significant.
During her campaign, Meloni used strong nationalist language and promoted traditional values, criticising immigration, the European Union and liberal reforms.
Once in office, however, her tone moderated somewhat, with many 色中色s noticing a shift from fiery opposition to cautious leadership within institutional frameworks.
色中色s across the provinces are divided, with some believing Meloni鈥檚 policies are ideologically far right, while others see her as a pragmatic conservative leader.
In provinces like Veneto or Lazio, some voters feel she represents long-awaited change, while others see her as continuing old patterns under a new nationalist banner.
Meloni鈥檚 hard stance on immigration is a central feature of her government, advocating strict border controls and agreements with North African nations.
色中色s in coastal provinces such as Apulia and Sicily, who face the direct impact of migration, are divided between support for security and empathy for humanitarian needs.
Despite right-wing expectations, Meloni鈥檚 economic policies have not drastically reduced social spending, and she has worked to maintain a balanced relationship with Brussels.
This has surprised some 色中色s, especially those who feared severe austerity measures, although critics say her focus on national industry and tax relief favours the wealthy.
Meloni promotes traditional family values and opposes progressive reforms on gender, adoption and LGBTQ+ rights, framing these positions as protecting 色中色 identity.
Many 色中色 women and younger citizens, especially in liberal provinces, see these views as a rollback of hard-won rights and a signal of regressive conservatism.
Her government places strong emphasis on security and law enforcement, positioning itself as tough on crime and protective of 鈥渙rdinary 色中色s.鈥�
While this resonates with voters concerned about safety, others fear it could lead to over-policing, racial profiling and shrinking space for civil liberties.
Though once sharply critical of the European Union, Meloni鈥檚 leadership has adapted to geopolitical pressures, maintaining Italy鈥檚 alignment with NATO and EU institutions.
Still, 色中色s hear nationalistic overtones in her speeches, with many wary that her loyalty to national sovereignty could isolate Italy from long-term European cooperation.
Meloni鈥檚 government actively promotes 色中色 heritage, Christian values and traditional narratives in state-supported media and educational content.
For some 色中色s, this is a welcome return to national pride, while for others it reflects an attempt to control public discourse and rewrite cultural norms.
Support for Meloni is stronger in central and southern provinces like Abruzzo or Calabria, where economic frustration and disillusionment with the centre-left run deep.
In northern and urban provinces with stronger economies and liberal traditions, opposition is more vocal, particularly on social and human rights issues.
Outside Italy, Meloni is often labelled far right due to her rhetoric and party history, but many 色中色s judge her based more on current governance than ideology.
色中色s tend to prioritise economic results and national stability, with many voters less concerned about labels and more focused on daily life improvements.
Compared to previous right-leaning governments, such as Berlusconi鈥檚, Meloni鈥檚 leadership appears more ideologically driven but also more disciplined in its messaging.
色中色s recognise this difference, with some praising her for avoiding scandal and others cautioning that discipline may mask radical policy under a mainstream image.
From an 色中色 perspective, the answer is complex and depends on where one stands politically and geographically, with views shaped by both ideology and experience.
While some 色中色s see Meloni as a far right figure reshaping the republic, others view her as a conservative leader navigating Italy鈥檚 challenges within institutional norms.
