Giorgia Meloni Elected Prime Minister of Italy

 

The failure of political centrism and neoliberal economic policy has pushed populations to the right. The election of Giorgia Meloni demonstrates this political trend. Her election also contradicts a narrative that women being elected to office is an indication of progressive political triumph. Female leaders have the potential to be just a harmful to society and citizens as their male counterparts. While the right has never been an advocate for women's rights, they claim sexism when  opponents criticize her political positions. The Italian voter has become so desperate and vexed that they are willing to select leaders with questionable ideology. Giorgia Meloni has expressed an authoritarian right sentiment mixed with xenophobic nativist nationalism. Her claim is that Italy's identity and family values are under attack. Giorgia Meloni also claims that the economic system has put the average person at a disadvantage. Yet, she has no intention of fighting the neoliberal capitalist system. The liberal critics state that Italy has fallen into fascism. A serious economic and constitutional crisis would have to occur to make that possible. As long as inflation and  the energy crisis continues in Europe there could be major disturbances. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia -Ukraine War has resulted in this shift to populist right-wing authoritarianism. The lack of a genuine leftist political block  only empowers this growing phenomenon. The Brothers of Italy claims to be anti-establishment, but Giorgia Meloni has been active in various offices and political parties. The worse the economy becomes, the greater political power the authoritarian-right gains. These  events explain Giorgia Meloni's election as prime minister.