Giorgia Meloni: the leadership of someone aiming to be the new face of the European right.

Giorgia Meloni: the leadership of someone seeking to be the new face of the European right "I am Giorgia. I am a woman, I am a mother, I am Italian, I am Christian." With these words, Giorgia Meloni introduced herself to the world at a campaign rally in 2019, marking the beginning of her rise in Italian and European politics. Known as the "heir of Mussolini," Meloni has been able to capitalize on the discontent of a part of Italian society with traditional politicians and has built an image of a strong and determined leader. Before taking office in October 2022, Meloni already had political experience, having been Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies and Minister of Youth in previous governments. However, it was through her leadership in the Brothers of Italy party that her figure began to gain relevance, especially in a context of the rise of conservative right-wing in Europe. Identified as the Italian 'Le Pen', Meloni has made a flag of a populist, Islamophobic, and anti-immigration discourse that has resonated in a predominantly Catholic country concerned about demographic and cultural changes. Her party, with roots in the Italian Social Movement, advocates for traditional values such as "God, country, and family," seeking to connect with a conservative and nationalist base. Since assuming the position of Prime Minister, Meloni has sought to project a more moderate international image, approaching the European Union and demonstrating pragmatism in her relations with leaders such as Biden and Von der Leyen. Her participation in the recent G7 summit, where she advocated for multilateralism and the inclusion of emerging economies, was an important step in her strategy to gain prominence on the European stage. The invitation to Pope Francis to the G7 summit, where he became the first pontiff to attend, was a symbolic gesture that reinforces Meloni's Catholic and Christian identity, in contrast to the advance of Islamism and immigration. Her intention to empower the European right and unify it around shared concerns, such as combating immigration, reflects her ambition to lead a conservative movement at a continental level. While some see her as a potential successor to European leaders like Merkel or Macron, the reality is that Meloni still has a long way to go to consolidate her leadership in the European Union. Italy faces significant economic and political challenges, which limit the government's room for maneuver and test Meloni's ability to remain a relevant figure beyond its borders. In conclusion, Giorgia Meloni presents herself as a strong and determined voice in the European political landscape, seeking to become the new face of a right in search of leadership. Her ability to reconcile her nationalist and identity discourse with a more pragmatic international projection will be key in determining her political future and her possible role in the European scene in the coming years.