Brothers of Italy

Brothers of Italy is a major right-wing political party in Italy, founded in 2012. It has grown from a minor opposition force to become the leading party in the Italian government, with its leader, Giorgia Meloni, serving as Prime Minister of Italy since 2022. The party's platform combines national conservative values with right-wing populist rhetoric, advocating for national sovereignty, traditional family structures, and a skeptical stance towards the European Union. Its symbol, the Tricolour flame, is a historical emblem associated with the Italian Social Movement.

History

The party was established in December 2012 by Giorgia Meloni, Ignazio La Russa, and Guido Crosetto, following a split from The People of Freedom led by Silvio Berlusconi. Its founding members were largely veterans of the post-fascist Italian Social Movement and the National Alliance, seeking to create a distinct conservative force. Brothers of Italy initially remained in opposition, gaining marginal support in the 2013 and 2018 general elections. Its political fortunes changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, as it capitalized on public discontent, leading to a decisive victory in the 2022 election and the formation of a coalition government with Lega and Forza Italia.

Ideology and political positions

The party's ideology is rooted in national conservatism and right-wing populism, emphasizing national identity, Christian democratic values, and sovereigntist policies. It strongly supports traditional family models, as evidenced by its opposition to LGBT adoption rights and gestational surrogacy. On economic issues, it advocates for protectionist measures and tax cuts, while its foreign policy is characterized by strong support for NATO, Israel, and a critical, Eurosceptic view of the European Union's centralization of power. The party also takes a hardline stance on immigration, promoting strict border controls.

Electoral results

Brothers of Italy first contested the 2013 election, winning just 1.95% of the vote for the Chamber of Deputies. Its support grew modestly to 4.35% in the 2018 election. The party's breakthrough came in the 2022 snap election, where it secured 26% of the vote, becoming the largest single party in the Italian Parliament and leading the centre-right coalition to a majority. It has also seen success in European elections, joining the European Conservatives and Reformists group, and in local elections, such as the 2021 Rome municipal election where it supported the victorious Roberto Gualtieri.

Leadership and structure

The party is led by its president and founder, Giorgia Meloni, who has been its defining figure since inception. Other key leaders include co-founder Ignazio La Russa, who served as President of the Senate, and Guido Crosetto, who serves as Minister of Defence. The organizational structure includes a national assembly, a national council, and a central committee. Its youth wing is known as Young Brothers of Italy, and it maintains close ties with various like-minded foundations and cultural associations that promote its political vision throughout Italian society.

International affiliations

At the European level, Brothers of Italy is a founding member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party and its MEPs sit in the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament. This aligns it with other national conservative parties such as Law and Justice of Poland and, historically, the British Conservative Party. While critical of the European Union's current trajectory, the party engages with transatlantic partners, maintaining a strongly pro-NATO and pro-United States foreign policy orientation, and has established bilateral relations with several right-wing governing parties globally.

Category:Political parties in Italy Category:National conservative parties Category:2012 establishments in Italy