Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Giorgia Meloni

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Giorgia Meloni.

Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician, currently serving as Prime Minister of Italy since 2022, the first woman to hold this position. She has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2006. Meloni leads the Brothers of Italy (FdI), a right-wing to far-right party, since 2014. She also served as president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party from 2020 to 2025.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1938: Published the "Manifesto of Race"

During World War II, Giorgio Almirante was editor-in-chief of the antisemitic and racist magazine La Difesa della Razza, which published the "Manifesto of Race" in 1938.

1938: The racial laws of 1938 the lowest point in Italian history

On 25 October 2022, on the occasion of the vote of confidence of the Parliament at the government, Meloni in her speech before the deputies said that she has always considered the racial laws of 1938 the lowest point in Italian history, a shame that will mark our people forever.

1945: Comparisons to historical right-wing governments

Since 1945, observers debated whether a Meloni-led government would be far-right, comparing it to historical figures like Mussolini, while others cited her Atlanticism.

2006: Elected to Italian Parliament

In 2006, after her election to the Italian Parliament, there was controversy about Meloni's curriculum vitae and qualifications.

August 2008: Invited boycott of Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony

In August 2008, Giorgia Meloni invited Italian athletes to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, disagreeing with Chinese policy towards Tibet.

2012: Added the tricolour flame to the FdI party flag

In 2012, after the formation of FdI, Meloni decided to add the tricolour flame to the party flag, a neo-fascist symbol associated with the MSI.

2014: Condemned "another massacre of children in Gaza"

In 2014, Meloni condemned what she called "another massacre of children in Gaza" during the Gaza War between Israel and Hamas, but later changed her stance to support closer relations with Israel.

2015: Blaming neo-colonialism for Africa's underdevelopment

Giorgia Meloni has blamed neo-colonialism for Africa's underdevelopment and the 2015 European migrant crisis, advocating for cooperation over what she termed France's neocolonialism.

February 2016: "Rather not have a gay child" statement

During a February 2016 interview to Le Iene, an Italian television show, Giorgia Meloni stated that she would "rather not have a gay child".

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May 2016: Promise to name street after Giorgio Almirante

In May 2016, during the Rome municipal election campaign, Giorgia Meloni promised to name a street after Giorgio Almirante if elected, sparking controversy.

January 2017: Statement on immigration to Italy

In January 2017, Giorgia Meloni referred to immigration to Italy as "ethnic substitution".

March 2018: Criticism of The Walt Disney Company

In March 2018, Giorgia Meloni criticized The Walt Disney Company for including a gay couple in the musical fantasy film Frozen II, posting on Facebook: "Enough! We are sick of it! Take your hands off the children."

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November 2018: Proposed replacing Liberation Day and Festa della Repubblica

In November 2018, Meloni proposed replacing the celebration of Liberation Day and Festa della Repubblica with the National Unity and Armed Forces Day, stating the former were "two controversial celebrations".

October 2019: Participation in Italian Pride rally and "I am Giorgia" slogan

In October 2019, Giorgia Meloni participated in the Italian Pride rally in Rome, where she criticized proposals to change the wording on minors' ID cards. Her slogan "I am Giorgia..." became a viral sensation, increasing her popularity.

October 2019: Speech Against Same-Sex Parenting

In October 2019, Giorgia Meloni spoke against same-sex parenting at a rally at the Piazza del Popolo in Rome. Her speech became viral on Italian social media platforms.

2019: FdI distanced itself from Ascoli Piceno party section after it celebrated the anniversary of the March on Rome

FdI distanced itself from the Ascoli Piceno party section after it celebrated the anniversary of the March on Rome in 2019.

2019: Co-authorship of book on Nigerian mafia

In 2019, Giorgia Meloni co-authored a book on the Nigerian mafia with Alessandro Meluzzi, containing controversial and stereotypical views on ethnicity and immigration.

2019: Criticized French rationale for intervention in Libya

In 2019, Meloni criticized France's rationale for intervening in Libya, claiming it stemmed from Muammar Gaddafi's opposition to the CFA franc. She was also critical of Italy's relations with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, asserting their role in spreading fundamentalist theories.

January 2020: Supported naming a street after Giorgio Almirante

In January 2020, Meloni and the comune of Verona supported naming a street after Giorgio Almirante, leading to controversy, particularly with Liliana Segre, a Holocaust survivor.

May 2020: Praised Giorgio Almirante as a great politician

In May 2020, Meloni praised Giorgio Almirante as a "great politician" and a "patriot", despite his controversial past.

2020: Statement on Homophobia in Italy

In 2020, Giorgia Meloni declared that "there is no homophobia" in Italy, opposing the DDL Zan, an anti-homophobia law.

February 2021: Joining the Aspen Institute and Insult from Giovanni Gozzini

In February 2021, Giorgia Meloni joined the Aspen Institute. Also in February 2021, Giovanni Gozzini insulted Meloni on the radio, leading to condemnation and his suspension from the University of Siena.

October 2021: Signing the Madrid Charter

In October 2021, Giorgia Meloni signed the Madrid Charter, defining left-wing groups as enemies of Ibero-America. She also participated in Vox's party congress, voicing opposition to the LGBT lobby and gender ideology.

October 2021: Giulia Cortese posted an altered photo of Meloni on Twitter

In October 2021, journalist Giulia Cortese posted an altered photo of Meloni on Twitter, now X, which was altered to show with Mussolini in the background.

December 2021: Former MSI members did a Roman salute

In December 2021, FdI's Alfredo Catapano and Luigi Rispoli were among former MSI members who did a Roman salute, which was condemned by the ANPI.

2021: Denounced Turkey's direction under Erdogan

In 2021, Meloni denounced what she described as the authoritarian, Islamist direction of Turkey under Erdogan, advocating for the EU to withdraw Turkey's candidate status. She also advocated for the expulsion of the Indian Ambassador to Italy and urged Alessandro Del Piero to refuse to play in the Indian Super League until detained Italian marines were returned. Furthermore, following the Asia Bibi blasphemy case, she criticized the "silence of the West".

August 2022: Reposting of Pixelated Video of Alleged Rape

In August 2022, Giorgia Meloni reposted a pixelated video on Twitter depicting a woman being raped by an asylum seeker, leading to backlash and accusations of insensitivity. The victim decried the publication of the video.

2022: Refused to remove tricolour flame from party logo

Heading into the 2022 general election, Meloni ignored Segre's request to remove the tricolour flame from the party's logo.

2022: Sacked a member that openly praised Adolf Hitler

Shortly before the 2022 general election, Meloni sacked a member that openly praised Adolf Hitler.

March 2023: Calls for resignation of Interior Minister Piantedosi

In March 2023, Elly Schlein and other political figures called for the resignation of Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi following the migrant boat sinking in February.

2023: Imposed an arms embargo on Israel

After the 2023 Israeli invasion of Gaza, Meloni reversed her pro-Israel stance and imposed a full arms embargo on Israel.

July 2024: Awarded damages in defamation lawsuit against Giulia Cortese

In July 2024, Meloni was awarded damages in a defamation lawsuit against journalist Giulia Cortese, who had posted a photo of Meloni altered to include Mussolini and made comments about Meloni's height.

August 2024: Calling court case over social policy "surrealist"

On 12 August 2024, Meloni described as "surrealist" the court case initiated by the European Commission over the Italian government's social policy favoring Italians over recent non-citizen immigrants.

January 2025: Arrest and Release of Libyan General Osama Elmasry Njeem

In January 2025, Libyan general Osama Elmasry Njeem was arrested near Juventus Stadium in Turin after a Juventus-Milan match. He was indicted by the ICC for war crimes. The court of appeal of Rome ordered his release on January 21 due to irregularities in the arrest. Subsequently, he was expelled and repatriated to Libya. On January 27, the Tribunal of Ministers became involved to assess whether PM Meloni and other ministers should be investigated for aiding and abetting and embezzlement.