Giorgia Meloni is rising star on Italy's far-right stage

Italian right-wing leader Matteo Salvini's once-bold demeanor has turned nervous and edgy since his failed bid to become premier this summer, giving an opening on Italy's political stage to his junior ally, the energetic leader of the post-fascist Brothers of Italy party.

Giorgia Meloni's far-right party has seen a surge in support — albeit remaining in the single digits — as Italy's traditionally conservative political landscape shifts even more toward the right, according to pollsters.

The two leaders and their supporters plan to descend Saturday on Rome for a massive right-wing rally, dubbed by commentators the new "March on Rome," as it resurrects memories of the mass demonstration that marked fascist dictator Benito Mussolini's ascent to power in 1922.

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 file photo, leader of The League party, Matteo Salvini, speaks at a party's rally in Pontida, northern Italy. Italy’s politically battered Matteo Salvini and ally Giorgia Meloni are preparing for a weekend march on Rome to rally the right-wing after Salvini’s political miscalculation got him ousted from his powerful post as interior minister. Meloni’s post-fascist Brothers Of Italy party is growing in popularity as Italy’s political landscape shifts even more toward the right. Salvini calls the rally “a peaceful day of Italian pride” but many believe it will attract far-right extremists. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno, File)

Salvini calls the rally "a peaceful day of Italian pride," rebuffing critics that saw the initiative as a dangerous flirtation with the Fascist era. But many still believe the protest will attract far-right extremists, including neo-fascist groups like the Rome-based CasaPound.

Salvini's right-wing League remains by far the most popular party in Italy despite his political misstep — while trying to become the country's next prime minister he lost his powerful job as Italy's interior minister. But he has suffered a dip in the polls, along with all the other major parties, as Italians view with suspicion the new coalition government created in September by the left-wing Democratic Party and the populist 5-Star Movement.

Only the 42-year-old Meloni has gained — viewed by many as the only politician who has not compromised her principles.

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 file photo, Brothers of Italy party leader Giorgia Meloni talks to the press after meeting Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome. Italy’s politically battered Matteo Salvini and ally Giorgia Meloni are preparing for a weekend march on Rome to rally the right-wing after Salvini’s political miscalculation got him ousted from his powerful post as interior minister. Meloni’s post-fascist Brothers Of Italy party is growing in popularity as Italy’s political landscape shifts even more toward the right. Salvini calls the rally “a peaceful day of Italian pride” but many believe it will attract far-right extremists. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino, File )

The League and Brothers of Italy are on a trajectory that Lorenzo Pregliasco, head of pollster YouTrend, says could win them more than 40% support in Italy's next national election.

"Such a scenario would be impressive, as it would hand two right-wing parties solid control of parliament," Pregliasco said.

The Brothers of Italy was originally a fringe far-right party born from the ashes of the post-Fascist Social Movement and its successor, National Alliance. Its support currently hovers at around 8%, with Meloni often topping the list of Italy's most popular politicians, after Premier Giuseppe Conte and Salvini. The party won just 4.4% of the vote in the last national election and has long been just a minor player in a center-right group long dominated by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. file photo, leader of The League party, Matteo Salvini, is cheered by supporters at a party's rally in Pontida, northern Italy. Italy’s politically battered Matteo Salvini and ally Giorgia Meloni are preparing for a weekend march on Rome to rally the right-wing after Salvini’s political miscalculation got him ousted from his powerful post as interior minister. Meloni’s post-fascist Brothers Of Italy party is growing in popularity as Italy’s political landscape shifts even more toward the right. Salvini calls the rally “a peaceful day of Italian pride” but many believe it will attract far-right extremists. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno, File)

A Roman born raised in the working-class Garbatella neighborhood, Meloni entered politics when she was only 15 and founded her own party after breaking with Berlusconi in 2012.

Her straightforward political message focuses on an anti-migrant stance even more extreme than that of Salvini, who paralyzed the European Union's migrant policy during his 8-month tenure as Italy's interior minister. She pairs that with a nationalist rhetoric that focuses on a few key words: nation, sovereignty and order. She's also a fierce critic of EU rules but never embraced anti-euro rhetoric.

Outside Italy, Meloni is far less well known than Salvini, who was long seen as the possible leader of nationalist forces emerging across Europe. At home, however, Meloni's political reach, supported by her strong communication skills, has been consolidating. She is the only woman leading a party in Italy's male-dominated politics and the only one who managed not to be cannibalized by Salvini.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019 file photo, The League's Matteo Salvini makes his statement at the Senate ahead of a second confidence vote for Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte's coalition government, in Rome. Italy’s politically battered Matteo Salvini and ally Giorgia Meloni are preparing for a weekend march on Rome to rally the right-wing after Salvini’s political miscalculation got him ousted from his powerful post as interior minister. Meloni’s post-fascist Brothers Of Italy party is growing in popularity as Italy’s political landscape shifts even more toward the right. Salvini calls the rally “a peaceful day of Italian pride” but many believe it will attract far-right extremists. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia, File )

In just a few years, she has transformed the Brothers of Italy from a marginal group of fascist nostalgists into the second-biggest rightist party after the League, overtaking Berlusconi's moribund Forza Italia party, which is now stuck at around 5% support.

"Meloni's success is based on her ability to attract both right-wing moderates, who are abandoning Berlusconi's Forza Italia, and more radical-right supporters, who were disappointed by the League's recent moves," said Lorenzo Castellani, political analyst at Rome's LUISS University.

Now, thanks to the 83-year-old Berlusconi's inexorable decline, Meloni can become the new "friendly face" of Italy's far-right, as her reassuring, traditional approach fits in well with nationalist policies.

FILE - In this Thursday, April 12, 2018 file photo, Brothers of Italy party leader Giorgia Meloni, left, and The League party's leader Matteo Salvini meet journalists at the Quirinale presidential palace after talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, in Rome. Italy’s politically battered Matteo Salvini and ally Giorgia Meloni are preparing for a weekend march on Rome to rally the right-wing after Salvini’s political miscalculation got him ousted from his powerful post as interior minister. Meloni’s post-fascist Brothers Of Italy party is growing in popularity as Italy’s political landscape shifts even more toward the right. Salvini calls the rally “a peaceful day of Italian pride” but many believe it will attract far-right extremists. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia, File)

Analysts note that Meloni's strongholds are in Italy's struggling southern regions and in the peripheries of its cities, which helped her to gain an independent role within the new Salvini-led coalition.

Many disillusioned Italian voters — angered by the broken promises of both traditional parties and anti-establishment forces — have bet on Meloni's reassuring leadership. She never denied her party's fascist past but has openly distanced it from Mussolini's racial laws.

"I voted for her because she's one of the few women in politics and I hoped she could have a crucial role within a winning center-right alliance," said Marco Bonaiuto, 46, from the southern Italian city of Avellino.

After voting for center-left forces in the past, Bonaiuto shifted to the far-right Brothers of Italy in Italy's 2018 election.

"And you know what? I would even consider voting for Meloni again," he said.

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron warned Thursday that Europe could “die” if it fails to build its own robust defense as Russia’s war in Ukraine rages on, or if it fails to undertake major trade and economic reforms to compete with China and the U.S.

Macron urged Europeans to become more ambitious in a fast-changing world to face the challenges of war, fierce trade competition, energy scarcity, climate change and increasing authoritarianism.

In a nearly two-hour speech at Sorbonne University in Paris, Macron said that the continent is divided and “too slow and lacks ambition” at a time when the 27-member European Union needs to become a superpower, defend its own borders and speak with one voice if it wants to survive and thrive.

“Our Europe today is mortal,” Macron said. “It can die and that depends solely on our choices,” he added. He called on people to make those choices now because, “it’s today that Europe is between war and peace.”

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, is an existential threat and Europe isn't armed enough to defend itself when “confronted by a power like Russia that has no inhibitions, no limits,” Macron said.

‘Our ability to ensure our security is at stake," Macron said. “Russia mustn’t be allowed to win.”

Europe now has the “good fortune” of having the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, Macron said. But, in a year of key elections around Europe, in the U.S. and elsewhere, support may fragment or disappear entirely, he added.

“Europe must become capable of defending its interests, with its allies by our side whenever they are willing, and alone if necessary,” Macron said.

Strong armies, a European rapid intervention program and force, tanks, a missile shield and other weapons, produced in Europe, will need the support of “a joint diplomatic force that will speak with one voice and build bridges with Africa and Latin America,” the French leader said.

“Only then will Europe show that it's not a United States’ lap dog, and that it also knows how to talk to other regions of the world,” he said.

France has been a firm supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, and Macron has often clashed with other Western leaders as he has insisted that Europe must stand by the country at any cost. The French president alarmed European leaders by saying recently that sending Western troops into Ukraine to shore up its defenses shouldn’t be ruled out.

Referring to trade practices of China and the U.S., Macron said “the two world powers have decided not to respect the rules of global trade” by shoring up protections and subsides while Europe’s industry remains open and is stuck in overregulation.

“Let’s do the same, we are in competition,” Macron said.

“We must buy faster, we must produce more and we must buy more that is made in Europe. That is key,” Macron said.

Thursday's speech came less than two months before a pivotal European Parliament election.

Macron, an avid advocate of a united and assertive Europe, also rallied support for his centrist Renaissance party before the June 6-9 vote as far-right parties lead the moderate coalitions in the polls. He called for safeguarding democratic values as the “authoritarian model” was becoming “more popular” across the continent.

The war in Ukraine and immigration are top priorities for European Union voters, according to polls. Far-right parties have gained support by criticizing Macron’s government policies on both issues. Macron acknowledged divisions on immigration policies, including on asylum and deportation rules for those who have arrived to Europe illegally.

He emphasized the need for an effective response and Europe-wide coordination for curbing illegal immigration, closer cooperation with immigrants' countries of origin and a unified, relentless fight against human traffickers.

Macron criticized the idea of striking an agreement, as Britain as done, with countries in Africa and elsewhere to transfer immigrants there.

“This is a betrayal of our values that ultimately leads us to dependency on other counties,” Macron said.

The British government earlier this week approved a law allowing the deportation of some migrants who enter the country illegally to Rwanda.

Macron lost his majority in France’s most influential house of parliament, the National Assembly, after the 2022 election to the far-left coalition and the far-right National Rally party.

The social situation in France remains tense as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games this summer, amid protests from teachers and police officers, and farmer demonstrations in recent weeks. The protests follow huge rallies last year against Macron’s ultimately successful proposal to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Barbara Surk reported from Nice, France. Lorne Cook contributed to this report from Brussels.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to deliver a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, Thursday, April 25 in Paris. 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron will outline his vision for Europe as a more assertive global power at the backdrop of war in Ukraine, security, and economic challenges in a speech ahead of pivotal election for the European Parliament in June. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, April 18, 2024. European Union leaders on Wednesday debated a new "European Competitiveness Deal" aimed at helping the 27-nation bloc close the gap with Chinese and American rivals amid fears the region's industries will otherwise be left behind for good. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)