The Italian Far Right’s Long-Term Investment
When the government led by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was unable to find eleven lawmakers willing to join its ranks in the house of representatives in order to keep his…
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Valerio Alfonso Bruno
8 posts
The Right’s War On Science & Experts Escalates Amid COVID-19
Dr. Valerio Alfonso Bruno argues that far-right leaders have shown a disdain for experts and the wider role of science, despite the worsening COVID-19 global pandemic. They argue that the…
Europe’s Radical Right Can Help Johnson Get Momentum on Brexit Deal
Boris Johnson could benefit from the new strategy of the radical right in Europe of abandoning calls for withdrawal from the EU for gradually imposing its presence within Brussels. This…
The case of Fratelli d’Italia: how radical-right populists in Italy and beyond are building global networks
With several parties in Italy competing on the right and far right, Valerio Alfonso Bruno and James F. Downes look at the recent growth in support for Fratelli d’Italia. They argue that this party is…
It’s Time for a New European Approach to Social Policy
The EU needs to regain control of the political debate around social welfare, which has been masterfully monopolized by European populist parties in the last decade. The European economy is expanding for…
Italian Populists Use Social Welfare to Ignite a “War Between the Poor”
Matteo Salvini’s League party takes advantage of the frustration felt by Italians living in poverty to fuel xenophobia and hatred toward immigrants. Since Matteo Salvini took over the leadership of…
Expertise in politics: boon or bane?
Populist radical right parties and their leaders openly despise expertise: they often parade their ignorance and inexperience by developing, in electoral terms, propaganda depicting them shoulder-to-shoulder with ordinary citizens (“the…
Is freedom of expression at stake in Italy?
In May 2019, the Italian government approved an anti-immigration “decreto sicurezza” (or security decree). Among other nationalist policies, the new law foresees a fine against anyone who is found transporting…