Melonian Populism in Italy

Melonian populism in Italy represents a distinctive iteration of contemporary right-wing populism—one that blends nationalist rhetoric, cultural conservatism, and institutional pragmatism within the formal boundaries of democratic governance. Under the leadership of Giorgia Meloni, this political phenomenon has reshaped Italy’s ideological landscape, not by rejecting democracy outright, but by redefining its meaning, its enemies, and its beneficiaries.

At its core, Melonian populism is constructed around a moralized conception of the people. The Italian nation is portrayed as culturally homogeneous, historically rooted, and unjustly marginalized—both by cosmopolitan elites at home and technocratic authorities abroad. This narrative situates Meloni and her party, Fratelli d’Italia, as authentic representatives of national will, standing in opposition to what is depicted as a detached political class, unelected European bureaucracies, and progressive cultural forces allegedly eroding traditional values. In this framing, politics becomes less a contest over policy and more a struggle over identity.

Unlike earlier waves of Italian populism—most notably Silvio Berlusconi’s media-driven personalism or the Five Star Movement’s anti-institutional radicalism—Melonian populism is deeply rooted in ideological continuity. It draws selectively from post-fascist traditions while carefully sanitizing their most overtly authoritarian elements. The result is a form of ideological adaptation: historical references are rearticulated as patriotism, sovereignty, and order, rather than openly authoritarian nostalgia. This strategic moderation has allowed Meloni to gain legitimacy within Italy’s constitutional framework and reassurance among international partners.

A defining feature of Melonian populism is its relationship with Europe. While rhetorically critical of European Union overreach, Meloni has largely avoided the confrontational Euroscepticism that characterized earlier populist leaders. Instead, her approach reflects a politics of selective resistance: asserting national sovereignty on issues such as migration, family policy, and cultural identity, while accepting fiscal constraints and strategic cooperation where necessary. This dual posture reveals a broader shift in populist governance—from rebellion against institutions to their tactical occupation.

Migration occupies a central place in Melonian populist discourse. It functions not only as a policy issue but as a symbolic boundary between insiders and outsiders. Migration is framed as a threat to national cohesion, security, and welfare provision, enabling the government to justify restrictive measures and expanded executive authority. Here, the logic of populism intersects with the politics of emergency, transforming border control into a test of sovereign credibility.

Importantly, Melonian populism does not rely primarily on mass mobilization or charismatic spectacle. Rather, it advances through institutional normalization. Courts are respected, elections are held, and constitutional language is invoked—yet political opposition, civil society actors, and critical media are increasingly delegitimized as obstacles to the popular will. This is populism not as rupture, but as gradual reorientation: a recalibration of democratic norms toward majoritarianism and executive centrality.

The Italian case illustrates a broader transformation in global populism. Meloni’s leadership demonstrates how populist movements can mature into governing projects without abandoning their core antagonisms. The danger, therefore, lies not in dramatic democratic collapse, but in democratic erosion—where pluralism is narrowed, dissent is moralized as disloyalty, and political power is increasingly justified in the name of a singular, unified people.

Melonian populism thus demands careful analytical attention. It is neither an aberration nor a temporary protest vote, but a coherent political strategy shaped by historical memory, contemporary anxieties, and institutional constraint. Understanding it is essential not only for grasping Italy’s current trajectory, but for interpreting the evolving nature of populism within established democracies.