Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician and stateswoman who has been serving as the prime minister of Italy since October 2022, making her the first woman to hold this position. She has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2006 and has led the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) political party since 2014. Additionally, she has been the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party since 2020.
In 1938, Italy enacted racial laws that are considered one of the lowest points in Italian history. Giorgia Meloni has condemned these laws, emphasizing their lasting shame on the Italian people.
In 1938, the antisemitic 'Manifesto of Race' was published in the magazine La Difesa della Razza, for which Giorgio Almirante served as editor-in-chief. This magazine promoted racist ideologies and was part of Italy's fascist movement.
Since 1945, observers have debated the political position of Giorgia Meloni's government. Descriptions ranged from far-right to neo-fascist, with comparisons to Italy's historical political spectrum post-World War II. The debate highlighted contrasting views on her leadership and the coalition's direction.
In 1975, Giorgia Meloni's sister, Arianna, was born. Arianna would later marry Francesco Lollobrigida, contributing to a family deeply involved in Italian politics.
Giorgia Meloni was born in Rome on 15 January 1977, to parents Francesco Meloni and Anna Paratore. Her father left the family a year later, moving to the Canary Islands.
Giorgia Meloni was born in Rome on 15 January 1977. She would go on to become a significant figure in Italian politics, eventually becoming the prime minister of Italy in October 2022.
In 1978, Giorgia Meloni's father left the family when she was just one year old, relocating to the Canary Islands and starting a new family.
Giorgio Almirante, co-founder of the Italian Social Movement, retired in 1987 after a long political career. Almirante had been a wartime collaborator and editor-in-chief of a racist magazine during World War II.
In 1992, Giorgia Meloni joined the Youth Front, the youth wing of the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI), marking her entry into politics.
In 1992, at the age of 15, Giorgia Meloni joined the Youth Front, the youth wing of the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI), initiating her political journey.
Giorgia Meloni has opposed the 1993 Mancino law, which addresses hate speech. She has also been against amendments to this law that would expand it to cover LGBT discrimination.
In 1995, Giorgia Meloni's father was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to nine years in a Spanish prison. This event further complicated their estranged relationship.
In 1996, Giorgia Meloni became the national leader of Student Action, the student movement of the National Alliance (AN), representing the movement in the Student Associations Forum.
In 1996, Giorgia Meloni graduated from l’Istituto tecnico professionale di Stato Amerigo Vespucci, a Hospitality Institute, marking the completion of her formal education.
In 1998, Giorgia Meloni was elected as a councillor of the Province of Rome after winning the primary election, a position she held until 2002.
In 2004, Giorgia Meloni became the first woman to hold the position of president of Youth Action, the AN youth wing, marking a significant achievement in her early political career.
In 2006, Giorgia Meloni was elected to the Chamber of Deputies and became its youngest ever vice-president. That same year, she began her career as a journalist.
In 2006, Giorgia Meloni was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. This marked the beginning of her long-standing political career at the national level.
In 2006, Giorgia Meloni was first elected to Parliament, marking the beginning of her significant political career. She has since been re-elected multiple times, most recently in 2022.
In 2006, Giorgia Meloni's educational qualifications came under scrutiny when it was revealed that her high school did not issue language diplomas as she had claimed in her curriculum vitae.
In 2006, upon becoming the Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, Giorgia Meloni had her last contact with her father, marking the end of their strained relationship.
In August 2008, Giorgia Meloni invited Italian athletes to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in protest against China’s policies towards Tibet. This statement was criticized by both Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Foreign Affairs Minister Franco Frattini.
In 2008, Giorgia Meloni was appointed as the Italian Minister of Youth in the fourth Berlusconi government, a role she held until 2011.
In 2009, Giorgia Meloni's political party merged with Forza Italia to form The People of Freedom (PdL). She subsequently took over the presidency of the youth section of the united party, known as Young Italy. Additionally, she voted in favor of a decree law against euthanasia during this year.
In November 2010, Giorgia Meloni, as the Italian Minister of Youth, presented a 300 million euro package called the Right to the Future. This initiative aimed at investing in young people through five key measures, including incentives for new entrepreneurs, bonuses for temporary workers, and loans for deserving students.
In November 2011, Giorgia Meloni's tenure as the Italian Minister of Youth ended when Silvio Berlusconi resigned as prime minister amid a financial crisis and public protests. Meloni held the position from 2008 and was noted for being the second youngest-ever minister in the history of united Italy.
In 2011, Giorgia Meloni followed the PdL party line in support of the military intervention in Libya.
In her 2011 book 'We Believe,' Giorgia Meloni expressed her stance as a right-wing woman who supports women's issues while criticizing feminism for being ideological rather than substantive.
In November 2012, Giorgia Meloni announced her intention to contest the PdL leadership against Angelino Alfano. She opposed the party's support of the Monti government. Despite the cancellation of the primaries, she collaborated with fellow politicians to advocate for anti-Monti policies and renewal within PdL.
In December 2012, Giorgia Meloni co-founded the political movement Brothers of Italy (FdI) along with Ignazio La Russa and Guido Crosetto. The name of the party is derived from the words of the Italian national anthem.
In 2012, Giorgia Meloni co-founded the Brothers of Italy (FdI), a political party that became the legal successor to the National Alliance (AN).
In 2012, Giorgia Meloni formed the Brothers of Italy (FdI) party and decided to include the tricolour flame, a neo-fascist symbol, in the party flag. This symbol is associated with the Italian Social Movement and Mussolini's legacy.
In the 2013 Italian general election, Giorgia Meloni stood as part of Berlusconi's centre-right coalition and received 2.0% of the vote, securing 9 seats. She was re-elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Lombardy and appointed the party's leader in the house until 2014.
In March 2014, Giorgia Meloni became the president of Brothers of Italy (FdI).
In 2014, Giorgia Meloni resigned from her position as the leader of Brothers of Italy in the Chamber of Deputies to dedicate herself entirely to the party. She was succeeded by Fabio Rampelli.
In 2014, Giorgia Meloni supported lifting sanctions on Russia, advocating for better relations with the Russian Federation.
In 2014, Giorgia Meloni became the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) political party, further solidifying her role in Italian politics.
On 4 November 2015, Giorgia Meloni founded Our Land, a conservative political committee aimed at supporting her campaigns and expanding the popular base of Brothers of Italy (FdI).
In 2015, Giorgia Meloni began a relationship with journalist Andrea Giambruno. The relationship has been significant in her personal life, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
On 30 January 2016, Giorgia Meloni participated in the Family Day, an anti-LGBT rights demonstration, where she declared her opposition to LGBT adoption and announced her pregnancy. Her daughter, Ginevra, was born on 16 September.
During a February 2016 interview on the Italian television show Le Iene, Giorgia Meloni stated that she would 'rather not have a gay child.'
In May 2016, Giorgia Meloni ran for mayor in the Rome municipal election with the support of Us with Salvini. She promised to name a street after Giorgio Almirante if elected, causing controversy. She obtained 20.6% of the vote but did not qualify for the run-off.
In 2016, Giorgia Meloni and Andrea Giambruno welcomed their daughter. This event marked an important milestone in Meloni's personal life.
In 2016, Giorgia Meloni founded the 'No, Thanks' committee and participated in numerous debates against the Renzi government's constitutional reform. The 'No' vote won with almost 60% on 4 December, leading to Renzi's resignation. Meloni withheld confidence from the succeeding Gentiloni government.
In 2016, Giorgia Meloni lost the municipal election to become mayor of Rome. This defeat was a significant setback in her political career.
In January 2017, Giorgia Meloni referred to immigration to Italy as 'ethnic substitution,' expressing her opposition to the reception of migrants and multiculturalism, and making statements that were perceived as xenophobic and Islamophobic.
During the 2–3 December 2017 congress of Brothers of Italy (FdI) in Trieste, Giorgia Meloni was re-elected as the president of the party. The congress also saw a renewal of the party logo and the joining of Daniela Santanchè, a long-time right-wing politician.
In March 2018, Giorgia Meloni criticized The Walt Disney Company for depicting a gay couple in the film Frozen II. She expressed her disapproval on Facebook, stating, 'Enough! We are sick of it! Take your hands off the children.'
In August 2018, journalist Friedel Taube from Deutsche Welle described Giorgia Meloni as having a long history in far-right politics.
In November 2018, Giorgia Meloni proposed substituting the Liberation Day and Festa della Repubblica with the National Unity and Armed Forces Day. She described the current celebrations as 'controversial' and sought to commemorate Italy's victory in World War I instead.
In 2018, Giorgia Meloni congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election as President of Russia.
In 2018, Giorgia Meloni stated she would welcome Venezuelan migrants, citing their Christian faith and often Italian origins, despite her general opposition to immigration.
In 2018, Giorgia Meloni won a first-past-the-post election for a parliamentary seat, reinforcing her political influence and leadership within the Brothers of Italy party.
In the 2018 Italian general election, Giorgia Meloni's party, Brothers of Italy (FdI), stood as part of the centre-right coalition and secured 4.4% of the vote, winning more than three times the seats they had in 2013. She was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Latina, Lazio, with 41% of the vote.
Following the 2018 Italian general election, Giorgia Meloni led the Brothers of Italy (FdI) in opposition during the entire 18th Italian legislature.
In October 2019, Giorgia Meloni spoke against same-sex parenting at a rally in Piazza del Popolo, a speech that went viral on Italian social media.
On 19 October 2019, Giorgia Meloni participated in the Italian Pride rally in Rome against the second Conte government. Her speech included the slogan 'I am Giorgia. I'm a woman, I'm a mother, I'm Italian, I'm Christian,' which was remixed by DJs into a viral hit, significantly boosting her popularity.
In 2019, FdI distanced itself from its Ascoli Piceno party section after it celebrated the anniversary of the March on Rome. This move was part of an effort to manage the party's controversial associations with Italy's fascist past.
In 2019, Giorgia Meloni co-authored a book on the Nigerian mafia with Alessandro Meluzzi, which included claims about the 'changing European ethnicity' and controversial stereotypes about ritual murder and cannibalism.
In 2019, Giorgia Meloni criticized the French rationale for the 2011 military intervention in Libya, attributing it to Muammar Gaddafi's opposition to the CFA franc.
In 2019, Giorgia Meloni delivered a speech at a rally in Rome where she declared her identity as a woman, mother, Italian, and Christian. Despite her strong Christian beliefs, she defended her choice not to marry her child's father, challenging traditional family values.
In January 2020, Giorgia Meloni faced controversy when she and the comune of Verona supported naming a street after Giorgio Almirante. The controversy arose as Almirante's legacy clashed with the honorary citizenship proposed for Liliana Segre, a Holocaust survivor. Segre stated that she and Almirante were incompatible, forcing the comune to make a difficult choice.
In May 2020, Meloni praised Giorgio Almirante as a 'great politician' and 'patriot.' Almirante was co-founder of the Italian Social Movement and a wartime collaborator during World War II, which sparked controversy given his controversial past.
In 2020, Giorgia Meloni was appointed as the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party, extending her influence within European politics.
In 2020, Giorgia Meloni, as president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party, sought to moderate her political stance to address concerns about FdI being perceived as neo-fascist or far-right. She allied her party with the Conservative Party in the UK, Likud in Israel, and the Republican Party in the US, emphasizing shared experiences and values.
In February 2021, Giorgia Meloni joined the Aspen Institute, an international think tank. On 19 February, University of Siena professor Giovanni Gozzini insulted her on a radio show, leading to condemnations from President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi. Gozzini was suspended by his university.
In October 2021, Giorgia Meloni signed the Madrid Charter, a document drafted by the Spanish ultranationalist party Vox, which describes left-wing groups as enemies of Ibero-America under the Cuban regime. She also participated in Vox's party congress, expressing her opposition to various progressive ideologies.
In December 2021, members of Giorgia Meloni's party, FdI, including Alfredo Catapano and Luigi Rispoli, performed a Roman salute, which was condemned by the ANPI. Meloni minimized the incident and refused to remove openly neo-fascist members from her party.
In 2021, Giorgia Meloni wrote that Russia under Vladimir Putin defends European values and Christian identity, reflecting her favorable stance towards Russia before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In 2021, Giorgia Meloni's party criticized Turkey's direction under Erdoğan and called for the EU to withdraw Ankara's candidate status. She also urged actions against human rights violations in Pakistan and advocated for the expulsion of the Indian Ambassador to Italy.
In February 2022, Giorgia Meloni spoke at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Florida, urging American conservatives to defend their views against progressive ideologies.
In a July 2022 interview with Nicholas Farrell of The Spectator, Giorgia Meloni rejected the 'far-right' label, calling it a smear by her opponents. She cited British philosopher Roger Scruton as an influence and identified herself as a mainstream conservative.
In July 2022, during the lead-up to the Italian general election, it was agreed among the centre-right coalition that the leader of the party with the most votes would be nominated as the prime minister candidate. Opinion polls indicated that Giorgia Meloni's party, FdI, was leading within the coalition, putting her in a strong position to become the next Prime Minister of Italy.
In August 2022, amid the Russo-Ukrainian War, Giorgia Meloni reposted a pixelated video on Twitter showing a woman being raped by an asylum seeker. The post drew significant backlash, and the victim criticized the publication of the video.
In September 2022, Giorgia Meloni reportedly continued to embrace the old Italian fascist slogan 'God, fatherland and family.' Despite this, she expressed resentment at being linked to Italy's fascist past.
In October 2022, Giorgia Meloni became the first woman to serve as the prime minister of Italy. This marked a significant milestone in her political career and in Italian history.
On 22 October 2022, Giorgia Meloni's brother-in-law, Francesco Lollobrigida, was appointed as the Italian Minister of Agriculture.
On 25 October 2022, Giorgia Meloni, during a parliamentary vote of confidence, emphasized her commitment to freedom and democracy. She stated that she has never had sympathy for undemocratic regimes, including fascism, and condemned the racial laws of 1938 as a permanent shame in Italian history.
In December 2022, Giorgia Meloni announced that Minister for Constitutional Reforms, Elisabetta Casellati, would engage with opposition parties to initiate constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the powers of the Prime Minister, despite the coalition's initial focus on the direct election of the President.
In the 2022 general election, exit polls projected that the centre-right coalition, with Giorgia Meloni's FdI receiving a plurality of seats, would win a majority. This positioned Meloni to become Italy's first female prime minister. The election results were celebrated by various European radical right parties and leaders, and even Gianfranco Fini, a former political leader, expressed his support for Meloni.
The possibility of Giorgia Meloni becoming Italy's first female Prime Minister was widely discussed around the 2022 Italian general election. Opinions varied, with some viewing it as a positive step and others criticizing her political positions.
In 2022, the Brothers of Italy (FdI) won the Italian general election, a significant triumph for Giorgia Meloni and her party.
In 2022, after winning the Italian general election, Giorgia Meloni's party pledged to review the positions taken by the Italian government during the COVID-19 pandemic and end the vaccine mandate for health care workers.
In 2022, Giorgia Meloni was re-elected to Parliament, continuing her long-standing political career that began in 2006.
In 2022, Giorgia Meloni secured another victory in the first-past-the-post parliamentary elections, further solidifying her position and influence in Italian politics.
In 2022, Giorgia Meloni condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and pledged to continue sending arms to Ukraine, highlighting her stance on international conflicts.
In 2022, Forbes ranked Giorgia Meloni as the seventh most powerful woman in the world. This recognition highlighted her influence and leadership on the global stage.
Heading into the 2022 general election, Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre requested that Giorgia Meloni remove the tricolour flame from the FdI party logo. Meloni ignored this request, maintaining the symbol despite its controversial associations.
Shortly before the 2022 general election, Giorgia Meloni sacked a member of her party who openly praised Adolf Hitler. This action was taken to distance FdI from its neo-fascist elements.
In January 2023, Giorgia Meloni visited Algeria and signed a significant deal with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to secure gas supplies for Italy, making Algeria Italy's largest gas supplier.
On 22 February 2023, Giorgia Meloni visited Ukraine and met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion. She also visited Bucha, where Russian forces had killed over 400 Ukrainians. Meloni reaffirmed Italy's support for Ukraine.
On 26 February 2023, a migrant boat sank near Crotone in Calabria, resulting in at least 86 deaths, including 12 children. Giorgia Meloni expressed sorrow and condemned human traffickers for the tragedy. The event led to political calls for the resignation of the interior minister.
Following the tragic sinking of a migrant boat in February 2023, political consequences unfolded into March 2023. The new leader of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, along with other political groups, called for the resignation of the interior minister, Matteo Piantedosi, citing the government's handling of the crisis.
In March 2023, Giorgia Meloni hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Rome. Earlier in the month, she visited India and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as the 'most loved leader in the world.' These diplomatic engagements underscored her efforts to strengthen Italy's international relations.
In April 2023, Giorgia Meloni had a state visit to Ethiopia where she met key leaders including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. During her visit, she announced the 'Mattei Plan' for Italian investments in Africa. This visit marked her as the first Western head of state to visit Ethiopia post-Tigray War. She also held a bilateral meeting with the African Union Commission chair, Moussa Faki.
In May 2023, Giorgia Meloni attended the 49th G7 Summit held in Hiroshima, Japan. This event was significant in her international political engagements.
In May 2023, severe floods struck the Emilia-Romagna region, causing 17 deaths and displacing 50,000 people. The Italian government announced a €2 billion recovery package to aid affected sectors. Giorgia Meloni visited the area, praising the resilience of the local people. The government later appointed General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo as Extraordinary Commissioner for the Reconstruction.
On 27 June 2023, following the devastating floods in Emilia-Romagna, Giorgia Meloni's government appointed General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo as the Extraordinary Commissioner for the Reconstruction. This appointment came after weeks of tension within the government and between majority and opposition parties.
In July 2023, Giorgia Meloni visited the United States, where she met with prominent U.S. leaders including Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. She also had a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, discussing topics such as Ukraine, China, and Africa, and the strengthening of economic and trade relations between Europe and the U.S.
In September 2023, over 120 boats carrying around 7,000 migrants arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa within 24 hours, leading Giorgia Meloni to write to the European Commission President to address the situation and accelerate the agreement with Tunisia.
On 20 October 2023, Giorgia Meloni announced her split with Andrea Giambruno following off-air statements he made that were described as 'sexist' and 'chauvinist'. Giambruno's comments included propositioning a female colleague, leading Meloni to publicly address the issue and assert her resilience against personal attacks.
In November 2023, Giorgia Meloni inaugurated a major exhibition on J.R.R. Tolkien at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome. The event marked the 50th anniversary of Tolkien's death and showcased Meloni's admiration for the author.
On 3 November 2023, Giorgia Meloni presented a reform that included the direct election of the Prime Minister and a new electoral law granting 55% of parliamentary seats to the leading coalition in general elections. The reform also mandated that only a child's biological parent could be named on their birth certificate.
In 2023, Giorgia Meloni was ranked fourth on Forbes's list of the most powerful women in the world, reflecting her significant influence in global politics.
In 2023, Forbes placed Giorgia Meloni fourth among the most powerful women in the world. Additionally, she was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine, underscoring her significant impact.
On 28 April 2024, Giorgia Meloni announced her candidacy for a seat in the European Parliament, with elections scheduled for June.
In 2024, Giorgia Meloni was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, further affirming her global influence and leadership.