Brothers of Italy
A clear guide to Brothers of Italy (FdI) in Italy: its history, national conservatism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Italy
- Founded
- 2012
- Position
- Right-wing
- Leader
- Giorgia Meloni
- Headquarters
- Rome
Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia, FdI) is a national-conservative party and the largest force in Italian politics. Its leader, Giorgia Meloni, became Italy's first female prime minister in October 2022 at the head of a coalition with the League and Forza Italia.
The party combines conservative social values, a focus on national sovereignty and tough immigration policy with a pragmatic, pro-NATO foreign policy. Her government has been described as the most right-wing in Italy since the Second World War.
History
FdI was founded in December 2012 by Meloni, Ignazio La Russa and Guido Crosetto, who split from Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom. Much of its membership and its tricolour flame symbol come from the National Alliance, which itself descended from the post-war neo-fascist Italian Social Movement.
The party won just 2 percent in 2013 and 4.4 percent in 2018, but grew rapidly while in opposition to the governments of Giuseppe Conte and Mario Draghi. It became the largest party in the 2022 election with 26 percent of the vote.
Economic Policy
In government FdI has followed a cautious fiscal line that has reassured markets, while cutting taxes on lower incomes, reducing the citizens' income benefit and favouring self-employed workers and small businesses. It supports family benefits to raise the birth rate.
Foreign Policy
Meloni has been firmly pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine while seeking good relations with the United States. In the EU the party is Eurosceptic in tone but cooperates with the institutions; she led the European Conservatives and Reformists from 2020 to 2025.
Where They Stand
- Seeks to reduce irregular migration through deals with transit countries
- Supports the traditional family and opposes surrogacy
- Backs NATO and military support for Ukraine
- Favours tax cuts for lower incomes and small businesses
- Proposes constitutional reform to directly elect the prime minister
Electoral Record
FdI won 26 percent in the 2022 general election and 28.8 percent in the 2024 European election, the highest of any Italian party. It leads the centre-right coalition into the next general election, due by 2027.
Position on the Political Compass
Brothers of Italy sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is more authoritarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Giorgia Meloni
Prime Minister since 2022
A co-founder of the party and Italy's first female prime minister.
Ignazio La Russa
President of the Senate since 2022
A co-founder of the party and veteran of the National Alliance.
Guido Crosetto
Minister of Defence since 2022
A co-founder who oversees Italy's defence and support for Ukraine.
Sources and Further Reading
- Brothers of Italy (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitefratelli-italia.it
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Italy political test to see how your views compare with Brothers of Italy and the other parties.
Take the Italy Test
Social Policy
The party is socially conservative, stressing the traditional family, national identity and Christian heritage. It opposes surrogacy and same-sex adoption, and has pursued a hard line on irregular migration, including agreements with Libya and Tunisia and processing centres in Albania.