The anti-gender movement and the populist radical right in Italy: A symbiotic relation

The political landscape of Italy experienced a seismic shift in the September 2022 elections, marking a watershed moment. Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the populist radical right party Brothers of Italy, was elected as Italy’s head of state, becoming the first ‘woman, mother, and Christian’ to assume the role. This event highlighted a significant development in the country’s gender politics. Meloni’s rise to power mirrors the ascent of populist radical right parties across Europe, marked by their reactionary politics, emphasis on traditional values, and staunch opposition to gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Scholars contextualize these developments within a broader phenomenon termed a ‘patriarchal reaction’. This study focuses on the dynamics between radical right parties (Brothers of Italy and the League) and the anti-gender movement in Italy. It aims to bridge the gap between scholarly work on movement-party interactions and gender politics. Through a qualitative content analysis of political parties and movement’s primary sources, the research focuses on the nature of this relationship, the linkage and adjustment mechanisms employed by both actors, and the political outcomes of their interactions. By delving beyond the concept of alliance structure, the research sheds light on the intricate dynamics between movement and party actors, highlighting the Italian case as an exemplar of the successful mobilization of anti-gender actors through their alliance with PRR parties. The intricate relationships between the anti-gender movement and political parties, especially in contexts where right-wing populists are in power, provide a nuanced understanding of the organized opposition to gender equality and its mainstreaming within political ideals.