From protest rhetoric to governance: the evolution of right-wing populism in Italy under Giorgia Meloni

The study examines the transformation of right-wing populism in Italy under the government of Giorgia Meloni between 2022 and 2026. The research focuses on the transition of right-wing populist forces from protest mobilisation to institutional governance within a stable parliamentary democracy. Using qualitative political analysis and an institutional approach, the paper explores the contradiction between anti-elite populist rhetoric and the practical requirements of governing, including coalition compromises, EU obligations and international constraints. The findings demonstrate that the integration of right-wing populists into state institutions has led to a process of partial moderation and pragmatic adaptation. While maintaining core elements of populist discourse centred on sovereignty and national identity, the government increasingly relies on administrative legitimacy and policy pragmatism. The Italian case illustrates the emergence of a hybrid model combining populist legitimation with traditional institutional governance. The study concludes that contemporary right-wing populism in Europe should be understood not only as a destabilising force, but also as a phenomenon capable of institutional adaptation and systemic integration.