The Radicalisation of the Italian Mainstream: Populist Radical Right Parties and Extreme Right-wing Movements in Italy (2012-2022)

This chapter investigates the process of radicalization of the political landscape in Italy that has been taking place over the last decade. The chapter provides an important perspective in examining Fratelli d'Italia (The Brothers of Italy) led by Giorgia Meloni, and the Lega (the League) led by Matteo Salvini, and their links with extreme right-wing movements and groups. Arguably, the politically volatile years of 2012–2013 were key in laying down the foundations for the subsequent development of the far right in Italy, having implications for the current rightwards trajectory of Italian politics. Firstly, in late 2012, Fratelli d'Italia was founded; a year later in 2013, Salvini became the new leader of Lega, undertaking a significant ideological rebranding from the original Lega Nord (Northern League), a federalist party. The two parties share important features, in terms of their ideologies and policy platforms on key issues such as immigration and the European Union (EU) but differ markedly in terms of their (a) leadership style, alongside their (b) historical and ideological roots. These key differences are also reflected in how the parties interact with other actors within the Italian extreme-right and ultraconservative groups in the contemporary Italian political landscape. The second part of the chapter explores the renewed visibility of historical right-wing groups such as CasaPound and Forza Nuova (New Force) who are now back on the scene after years of relative “invisibility,” alongside the success of recently established groups, such as Lealtà Azione (Loyalty Action).