Italy’s head of government has not kept many of her election promises. Nevertheless, their approval ratings continue to rise. Why?
When you enter the ornate vault of the white-lacquered market hall in Rome’s middle-class Prati district, you are captivated by the babble of voices: the conversations revolve around fruit and vegetables, news in the family and, again and again, politics. If you ask about Giorgia Meloni here, you won’t hear a single critical word about the Italian Prime Minister. Italy is a country with many problems and a tendency to look to a charismatic leader to solve all difficulties. Matteo Renzi was once celebrated as the new man of the middle. Then the Internet movement “Five Stars” emerged as a beacon of hope. But the enthusiasm lasted the longest for the recently deceased self-made man and multi-billionaire Silvio Berlusconi, who shaped his country for decades. Many Italians looked up to him and emulated him.
With Giorgia Meloni it is something completely different, she is: “popolana” – one of us, as many people here say.