Giorgia Meloni is hardening her far-right rhetoric because she is facing a growing challenge from Roberto Vannacci, whose National Future party is polling above 7%. With elections potentially coming next spring, Meloni is taking a tougher stance on immigration, border controls, security, and national identity to protect her traditional right-wing voters. Meloni strongly supports Ukraine and the West, while Vannacci favors a softer approach toward Russia. Source: POLITICO