The far right is gaining ground across Europe, raising concerns about democracy and the rule of law. While leaders in Poland and Hungary have eroded judicial independence, Italy's Giorgia Meloni offers a different model. Initially a nationalist firebrand, Meloni has tempered her rhetoric since taking office in 2022, cooperating with the EU on migration and positioning Italy as a key Mediterranean player.

Her pragmatic approach, exemplified by the 2024 Mattei Plan for Africa, contrasts with harder-line figures like Marine Le Pen. Meloni's evolution suggests that far-right parties may moderate when faced with governing realities, though her past admiration for Mussolini remains a point of contention.