Giorgia Meloni

Country: Italy

In 2024, Giorgia Meloni stands at the helm of Italy, not just as the first woman to assume the position of prime minister but as a polarizing figure with roots in neofascist ideology. PM Giorgia’s journey from the controversial fringes of post-fascist politics to the pinnacle of Italian leadership reflects a nuanced political trajectory. Having co-founded the Brothers of Italy in 2012, a party with neofascist origins, PM Giorgia transformed it into a significant force in Italian politics. Her rise to prominence culminated in the 2022 elections, where her coalition, under the banner "Italy and Italians first," secured a resounding victory.

PM Giorgia’s strategic shift during the campaign, softening Euroskeptic rhetoric and pledging support to Ukraine, showcased a pragmatic approach. Yet, concerns lingered over her party's neofascist history, and her subsequent governance marked Italy's first far-right government since World War II. The trajectory of Giorgia Meloni encapsulates the complexities of modern Italian politics, where populist sentiments and historical ideologies converge to shape the nation's leadership in 2024.