The push for diversity in all aspects of life is a clarion call that has echoed throughout media, politics, education, and the business world. Companies and institutions are fined and denigrated for not fulfilling imposed commitments to diversify, and woe betide any organization that dares place merit alone above the cultural parapet. So, one would expect the global Fourth Estate to be thrilled that Giorgia Meloni — Italy’s prospective new leader — is the first woman to ever attain such heights. And yet headlines of “fascist” and “far-right” have far outstripped talk of glass ceilings and “girl boss”* mania.
No Celebrations for Giorgia Meloni
Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia) party swept to victory in the Mediterranean nation’s Sept. 25 elections, claiming more than 26% of the vote; her right-wing coalition secured 44%. Although this figure is less than half of the overall vote share, due to a combination of first-past-the-post voting and proportional representation for the upper and lower chambers of Italian parliament, the coalition alliance now has decisive control of the government. Meloni will almost certainly be appointed prime minister within the next month. But there will be no international acclaim or celebration for the politician who will become the very first female leader of a nation often accused of excess machismo.
Headlines in the run-up to the election were stark, brutal, and damning – with more than a sprinkle of fearmongering just for good measure. “The Return of Fascism in Italy” warned The Atlantic. The Gray Lady was somewhat more subtle, writing “Italy May Get a Leader With Post-Fascist Roots.” Almost all of the usual progressive devotees in the mainstream media made allusions to Benito Mussolini and the “far right,” in what appeared to be a global effort to frighten off potential voters. CBS tweeted, “Voters in Italy appear poised to elect a far-right prime minister tomorrow — Giorgia Meloni, the woman expected to win, leads a neo-fascist movement, reminiscent of Benito Mussolini’s own political party.”
Who Is the New Girl Boss?
Among the most significant criticisms of Giorgia Meloni is that she heads a party with loose historical ties to Mussolini and the fascist movement. However, with revisions in party names, leadership changes, and rejections of affiliation, several parties with such connections have been in Italian government over the last few decades. As a number of Twitter commentators reflected, if Meloni is not allowed to ditch her party’s roots, neither should anyone else be.
So, what does she stand for? During the last two years, Meloni has campaigned for an end to COVID passports and for building a conservative network worldwide. In fact, she appeared at February’s CPAC event in Orlando, FL, to discuss the future and the untapped power of conservatism. In a recent speech, she said:
“We will defend God, country, and family; these things that disgust people so much. We will do it to defend our freedom because we will never be slaves and simple consumers at the mercy of financial speculators.”
Ursula von der Leyen (Photo by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
She concluded with a quote from G.K Chesterton: “Fires will be kindled to testify that two and two make four. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer.”
Battle Stations for the European Union
President of the European Commission, the governing body of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, issued a warning of her own. She said, “If things go in a difficult direction – I’ve spoken about two, Hungary and Poland – we have the tools.” By tools, the unelected bureaucrat means sanctions of a similar sort levied on the aforementioned nations for not going along with the EU’s desires.
Meloni has expressed her negativity toward the European Union project, and it seems the Italian people echo her position. Her predecessor, Mario Draghi, was installed in the role of prime minister by President Sergio Mattarella and was very much an ally of the EU, having served for many years as the head of the European Central Bank. Draghi was handed the reins of power without a single vote being cast and was supported by the EU leadership from day one.
Not That Type of Diversity
When Kamala Harris became US vice president, and Pete Buttigieg was appointed transportation secretary, the world’s media fawned over the immutable characteristics they brought to office. But no such fanfare accompanies Meloni’s ascension. What type of prime minister she will make only the future can reveal, but it is already clear that diversity is for the Fourth Estate little more than a buzzword to champion those who cleave to its own progressive paradigm.
*Girl Boss was a 2017 TV show and is now a ubiquitous term used to describe women at the head of organizations.
