Giorgia Meloni's political journey as Italy’s Prime Minister has presented a fascinating narrative of balancing acts. Over the past two years, she has taken substantial steps to reshape her image, moving considered distances away from her hard-right past. However, her recent actions signal an attempt to maintain support among her conservative base while simultaneously engaging with the Western mainstream on key international issues.
This week, the Italian Senate expanded its legislation on surrogacy, prohibiting Italians from seeking surrogate births abroad. This decision coincided with Italy's initiation of a new asylum processing plan, which involves the Italian Navy transporting migrants to Albania. Both policy moves touch upon significant conservative pillars: migration and family values, showcasing Meloni’s ability to craft strong symbolic gestures that connect with her base.
Political analysts interpret Meloni's recent decisions as an indication that she is indeed conscious of her political footing. Roberto D’Alimonte, a political scientist at Luiss Guido Carli University, highlights Meloni's conflict, noting, "She doesn’t want to do far-right," yet recognizes her need to reassure her supporters. He describes her political journey as "walking a tightrope," balancing credible positions on the global stage with ensuring her right-wing credentials don’t wane domestically.
Meloni's evolution has not merely been as a politician distancing herself from her past—she has actively distanced herself from much of the European far-right landscape, portraying herself as a vital link between the established political center and nationalist factions, like Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party.
Therefore, as Meloni navigates through the complexities of national and international politics, she finds herself constantly modifying her approach, fostering a blend of progressive diplomacy and conservative governance that speaks to both her ambitions abroad and the expectations of her domestic audience.
