Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has emerged as one of the most influential leaders in Europe. The significant success of her far-right party, Brothers of Italy, in the European Parliament elections has bolstered her standing both domestically and internationally. She is increasingly seen as a key figure shaping the continent’s future political landscape.

Meloni has made considerable efforts to distance her party from its dark past, rooted in Italy’s neo-fascist movement. Despite the nationalist and anti-LGBTQ laws her government has promoted over the past two years, her image in Europe remains positive. She is perceived, as she desires, as a moderate. However, Meloni now faces a resurgence of fascist specters from the past—or…