Inside the coalition, his party could drain the remaining support from the League. What’s more, the former general has repeatedly courted controversy, drawing criticism for his comments about migrants, women and LGBTQ+ people, and his dog whistles to neofascists.
Those positions and his opposition to Western support for Ukraine could complicate Meloni’s efforts to maintain backing among moderate Forza Italia voters.
Tensions already spilled into the open last week, when Meloni, during a debate in parliament, accused Vannacci’s movement of helping the left by attacking the coalition and splitting the right-wing vote. For Pozzolo, the remark amounted to the prime minister “slamming the door” on National Future.
Vannacci, for his part, has shown little interest in making life easier for Meloni. On Saturday, he insisted he would not soften his positions in order to join the coalition.
“National Future is the compass for the center right, which has somehow gone off course,” he said.
Yet, with the right and left blocs neck and neck in opinion polls, a growing National Future could become indispensable to another conservative victory.
If Vannacci’s party continues to rise, Meloni may eventually have little choice but to deal with him.
Jacopo Barigazzi contributed to this report.