From Canada to Europe and even as far as East Asia, right-wing governments are gaining momentum amid a broader wave of political upheaval reshaping governments worldwide.

Nowhere is this shift more evident than in the Group of Seven (G7), an informal bloc of industrialized liberal democracies including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States that meets annually to discuss major global issues such as trade, economics, and, recently, climate policy [1]. While America is often centered in discussions of government instability and the rise of the right, the same set of challenges ensnare most of the G7 nations, creating a pattern of volatility that challenges long-standing political norms, with potential lasting effects on international relations.

Across the G7, liberal politicians are resigning or losing power in the face of mounting challenges. Their departures weaken centrist governance and pave the way for rising right-wing opposition, with both domestic and international consequences. France, a long-time symbol of political turbulence, recently entered one of its most socially and economically unstable periods in decades after the short tenure of former Prime Minister Michael Barnier [2, 3, 4]. Canada, too, was rocked by an unexpected leadership crisis in the wake of resignations by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, shaking confidence in the country's long-dominant Liberal Party as Conservative poll numbers surge [5, 6]. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, also saw its political order upended as the February 2025 snap elections brought center-right leader Friedrich Merz to power, while the far-right Alternative for Germany made significant gains [7, 8]. Even Japan, historically known for its political stability, was caught in this wave of disruption when the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost its parliamentary majority in October 2024 for the first time since 2009 [9].

Italy, though, finds itself in a rare moment of national stability amid a long history of political turmoil. Since the fall of Mussolini’s regime in the 1940s, the nation has seen frequent changes in leadership, currently operating under its 68th government in seventy-eight years [10]. Italy has faced numerous high-level corruption scandals tied to organized crime and various regional mafia groups, including those in Sicily and Calabria, as well as Puglia, the site of the most recent G7 Summit [11]. Waves of political terrorism from both far-right and far-left groups have also plagued the country, involving bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations of major political figures [12].

However, since assuming office in October 2022, Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy (FdI) Party has successfully implemented much of her policy agenda, aided by a relatively stable right-wing coalition that holds a solid parliamentary majority. In a striking departure from historical patterns of instability in Italy, Meloni’s has maintained unity within her coalition, contributing to an unusual degree of political continuity. As a result, Italy now finds itself in an unexpected position: as its G7 partners grapple with growing instability, Italy’s stable governance has strengthened its influence on the world stage.

Who is Giorgia Meloni?

Giorgia Meloni rose to prominence alongside her party, the FdI, in the late 2000s and early 2010s. She spent much of her youth canvassing and working for the Italian Social Movement (MSI), a neo-fascist party established in 1946 by supporters of former dictator Benito Mussolini [13]. Her major political breakthrough came in 2008 when prominent center-right populist leader and three-term Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appointed her as Minister of Youth. At age thirty one, this role made Meloni the youngest government minister in Italy’s history [14].

However, Meloni distanced herself from Berlusconi in 2012 when she and several colleagues publicly criticized his leadership at the Primary of Ideas event in Rome [15]. Within days, FdI announced itself as a breakaway party, and appointed Meloni as its leader in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Italian Parliament. In 2014, she was elected president of the FdI while the party steadily gained popularity among the Italian public. She attempted to run for mayor of Rome in 2016 but did not win; still, Meloni received 20.6 percent of the total vote, signaling growing support for her previously fringe party [16]. 

This momentum culminated during the September 2022 Italian general election. Record-low voter turnout, as well as widespread dissatisfaction with the National Unity Government—a grand coalition government formed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, covering a wide range of parties from right-wing populists to social democrats—led to a center-right coalition victory, and Meloni elected Prime Minister [17]. Upon election, this new government was widely considered to be the most far-right coalition under the most far-right leader in all of Italy’s post-fascist history [18].

Meloni’s core priorities as Prime Minister include conservative economic and social reforms, as well as immigration restrictions. Her government overhauled the “citizens’ income” program, a poverty alleviation program highly unpopular among the Italian right-wing due to excessive fraud, and also limited foreign investment in strategic Italian assets [19]. Likewise, she takes a conservative stance on social issues, such as her decision in early 2023 to bar the legal recognition of same-sex couples as non-biological parents on their children’s birth certificates [20]. Finally, Meloni advocated for stringent measures to curb illegal immigration, proposing a naval blockade to prevent unauthorized arrivals from the bordering Mediterranean Sea [21]; she has also recently proposed the deportation of undocumented migrants to facilities in Albania [22].

In recent years, however, some of Meloni’s actions have clashed with her far-right, Eurosceptic presentation, such as her support for pro-Ukrainian aid [23]. Political analysts question whether these inconsistencies stem from pragmatism or deeper strategic motives. As Wolfango Piccoli of London-based Teneo consultancy says, “there are two Melonis, and the Meloni that is getting more attention [in broader EU politics] is the pragmatic, pro-Ukrainian Meloni. There is another Meloni, back in Italy, where she is pursuing a clear right-wing agenda on a variety of issues from migration to social-cultural values” [24]. Overall, though, her policies have accelerated the consolidation of executive power, the restriction of immigration, and the reconfiguration of Italy’s political landscape in a more nationalist, centralized direction.

Meloni and Trump: Conservative Alignment

Meloni’s engagement with the contemporary American right-wing began not with President Trump, but rather Elon Musk, an influential figure in Trump’s political sphere [25]. Her first known interaction with the South African tech mogul occurred in Rome in 2023, and later that year, Musk served as the star guest at the FdI’s annual conference [26]. The two have reportedly remained in regular contact, and their rapport likely influenced Meloni’s government to approve a framework for foreign space companies to operate in Italy in the summer of 2024 [27]. Similar to many of Italy’s previous leaders, she has spoken out vehemently against being influenced by foreign powers, but her growing ties with Musk suggest a more complex reality in which economic and technological ambitions may occasionally take precedence over nationalist rhetoric.

Meloni and Trump first met publicly on December 8, 2024, in a conversation facilitated by Musk during the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris [28]. The following month, Meloni made an unannounced visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida [29]. During a three-hour meeting with the President, they discussed various topics including tensions in the Middle East, U.S. support for Ukraine, and the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran. Meloni also met with key members of Trump’s incoming cabinet, such as Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio [30]. Following this meeting, Trump reportedly praised Meloni as a “fantastic woman,” and emphasized their highly compatible political agendas.

Meloni and Trump have remained close since he took office in late January 2025. She was the only European Union (EU) head of state invited to his inauguration, which she attended and used as an opportunity to publicly reaffirm Italy’s strategic partnership with the United States [31]. According to Franco Pavoncello, political science professor and president of Rome’s John Cabot University, “It’s clear that if Trump is looking for a person to call in Europe when in need, Meloni is the one. Around her in Europe, it’s a desert” [32].

Then, in February, Meloni participated in a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris [33]. The meeting aimed to address European security concerns amid direct negotiations between the Trump administration and Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Her presence at both events demonstrates her efforts to legitimize Italian influence on the global stage while balancing the competing policy priorities of the U.S. and EU.

Projecting the Future, in Italy and Beyond

In the coming months, Giorgia Meloni is poised to play a pivotal role as the Trump administration fundamentally reshapes U.S.-Europe relations. Her established ties to the President make her a unique conduit between the United States and Europe. This dynamic offers both opportunities and challenges, influencing Italy's domestic and international standing.

Meloni and Trump share a populist, right-wing ideology, which fosters a natural political alignment. Both place an emphasis on national sovereignty, conservative social policies, and stringent immigration controls [34]. Meloni's proactive engagement, evidenced by these multiple visits to the U.S. within a short span of time, underscores her commitment to an alliance with the Trump administration specifically. For Meloni, aligning with Trump presents an opportunity to elevate Italy’s position on the global stage, particularly as she attempts to reconcile Italy’s commitments to the European Union with a more independent foreign policy approach.

Still, this relationship contains key points of friction: Trump has repeatedly lambasted European allies for underfunding their defense, and Italy’s defense spending falls short of NATO’s 2 percent GDP target [35]. Trump’s pressures could force Meloni to defend Italy’s defense policy and strategic priorities, even as she aligns more closely with the U.S. agenda. As the Trump administration renews its calls for Italy to increase its defense contributions, Meloni’s domestic support may weaken if higher military spending comes at the expense of economic or social programs.

At the same time, tensions are mounting within the G7 over entirely separate circumstances. The political instability that has gripped several of its member states—France’s legislative deadlock, Germany’s collapsing coalition, Canada’s leadership crisis, and Japan’s fractured government—has weakened the bloc’s collective ability to present a unified front on key global issues. With these traditional powerhouses preoccupied with internal struggles, decision-making within the G7 has become increasingly fragmented, creating a vacuum in leadership. The Trump administration, which has signaled a more unilateral approach to global affairs, may fill that vacuum. Alternatively, these circumstances may present Meloni with a long-awaited opportunity to position herself as a critical mediator between the U.S. and Europe amid shifting alliances.

Further, Trump’s recent remarks calling for Russia’s re-entry into the G7 have been a point of contention among the U.S.’s traditional Western allies [36]. If Meloni sides with Trump on this issue, it could further isolate Italy within the EU, even as it cements their unique relationship with the U.S. Despite this tension, Meloni has already demonstrated a willingness to chart her own course within European politics, distancing herself from Germany and France on key issues. The more overtly she aligns her government with President Trump, the more she risks alienating Italy’s EU partners, potentially leading to diplomatic rifts that could complicate trade and security agreements.

Finally, Meloni has also sought to leverage Italy’s position to carve out a greater leadership role in critical international negotiations, particularly on energy policy and relations with Iran. Italy, one of Europe’s largest importers of natural gas, has actively pushed for policies that reduce reliance on Russian energy while securing alternative supply routes [37]. Meloni positions herself as a key broker in these discussions, navigating between U.S. sanctions policies and European energy needs. Additionally, as tensions between the West and Iran fluctuate, Meloni has signaled interest in playing a mediating role, which would reinforce her image as a leader capable of acting independently from both the U.S. and EU when necessary.

Domestically, however, Italy’s sizable left-wing coalition has a long history of protesting against U.S.-aligned policies [38]. Any perception that Meloni is overly influenced by Trump may trigger renewed internal dissent and public demonstrations, complicating her efforts to consolidate power. While her base may welcome a stronger relationship with the U.S., opposition forces likely aim to seize on any missteps and portray her as a leader prioritizing American interests over Italy’s own. Additionally, business leaders in Italy, particularly those with strong ties to EU markets, may become wary of an approach that appears to compromise Italy’s standing within the European economic bloc.

While the Trump-Meloni alliance seems set to strengthen U.S.-Italy relations and could promote Italy to a more assertive role on the world stage, it also risks widening rifts both within the G7 and internally within Italy. Meloni plays a risky game as she leverages her ideological alignment with Trump to advance Italy’s interests while attempting to avoid the fallout that could come from alienating European partners or facing backlash at home. The coming months will reveal whether her strategy succeeds, or if the inherent tensions of this balancing act prove too complex to manage.