Lead
A two-part France 24 Europe Rendezvous investigation into Italy under Giorgia Meloni paints a picture of a government juggling a hardline migration stance with economic reality, while coming under pressure from both its critics and from challengers further to the right. The broadcaster also examines the democratic strains of a coalition that has, according to its detractors, moved the country in an increasingly illiberal direction.
Coverage Comparison
France 24 tackles the topic from several angles across its programming. The main Europe Rendezvous feature travels to Italy to look at how democratic institutions have come under pressure as the 2027 elections near. A separate France 24 report focuses on migration – a defining issue of the Meloni government – and a fact-check video from the outlet also scrutinises the career of Italy's first female prime minister. The four segments differ in tone and emphasis: the democracy feature deploys an investigative, critical framing; the migration feature the tone is more neutral and informative.
Key Claims
The French outlet reported several central claims.
Migrant processing deal in Albania
France 24 says the Meloni government's flagship migration measure – a controversial migrant processing centre in Albania – has repeatedly encountered legal obstacles in Italy. This execution is framed in its coverage as raising doubts about whether Rome can implement its stated promise to curb irregular migration.
Work permit expansion
Alongside the rhetorical crackdown, the broadcaster reports that the government authorised around half a million additional work visas for the 2026-2029 period. The segment says this was to meet U.S. pressure and business lobbying, part of a balancing act to ease labour shortages. Whether the policy is more pragmatic than supporters expected is a theme its coverage floats.
Challenges from the radical right
A former army general, Roberto Vannacci, is presented as having carved out political space by articulating an even tougher line, even urging the 'remigration' of migrants. Meloni's strong line, according to France 24, enabled this challenge to the right.
Restrictions on civil rights
The broadcaster quotes Renew Europe MEP Sandro Gozi, who says Italy is being steered in an increasingly illiberal direction under Meloni. He cites restrictions on civil rights, growing political pressures on the media, and a proposed overhaul of the electoral system that would grant a majority bonus to the winning coalition. The passage of the proposal in the lower house is also included.
Abortion access
France 24 reports that, although abortion is legal in Italy, the widespread use of conscientious objection by medical staff has led to a unequal geographical access. A member of Meloni's own Brother of Italy party, Ylenja Lucaselli, is featured to address the contestation.
Desk Press Index
The coverage also cites Italy's spot on the World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders – 56th. It accompanies this note with a report that the cross-party parliamentary committee overseeing the public broadcaster RAI has resigned.
Perspectives
The critical and liberal opposition
Sando Gozi, a Renew Europe MEP, voices the most direct allegations: he argues that Meloni has taken Italy in an illiberal direction, evidenced by the restrictive civil-rights moves, the clamp down of the media, and the reformed election law. This is matched by the Eurosceptic but critical view of the Socialists and Democrats man Dario Nardella, who maintains a skeptical assessment of the government's economy and use of the EU recovery fund.
The far-right challenger
Pointing the opposite way on the night spectrum is former general Roberto Vannacci, who pushes for restoring a “remigration” of migrants. His presence shows how the political space to Meloni's right has not only expand, but become vocal.