Italy’s first far-right leader since Benito Mussolini, Giorgia Meloni, has declared victory. Her brothers of Italy party is allied with Spain’s far-right Vox party, Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice party. And the Sweden Democrats party, which emerged out of its neo-Nazi movement. Her victory also makes history as she will become Italy’s first female prime minister. Her party flag includes a tricolor flame that was a symbol of fascism in the early 20th century. Here are the things about Meloni that validates that she is pro-fascism.

Meloni’s opposition to immigration

Meloni has posted a video in August, where she said that, she would introduce a naval blockade to patrol the Mediterranean. Which indicated that she would interdict people whom she called “illegal immigrants” from North Africa. Historian Lorenzzo Castellani, a professor at Rome’s LUISS University said, ” she is proposing herself as a sort of defender of the borders, a very Trumpian approach from this point of view.”

A conservative in a Moderate’s clothing?

Some Italians fear that Meloni-led government would outlaw abortion, which is legal in Italy since 1978. Though she has claimed that she will not. Meloni has long been Eurosceptics- and in the past has talked about taking Italy out of the common currency. She has also talked about leaving the European Union.

Giorgia Meloni

An Astute political operative

With Italians facing spiraling energy costs, inflation and lackluster economy, Meloni, whose party only won 4% of the vote in the previous election. Political writer Federico Fubini, a Meloni critic, says she was astute to sit out of the national unity government that just collapsed. “The main reason why she’s leading in the polls is because she’s perceived as the one that was not in power for the last 10 years”.

Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present”, have noted that, “with Meloni’s victory we see return of fascism in Italy”. Her victory brings a mixed feeling among the people. Fascism is the evil face of capitalism, and what it can do has been shown in the past. Meloni is part of a “transnational design” to create a far-right political culture across Europe.