Comparing Political Strategies and Security Assessments of Europe’s Rising Right-Wing Leaders

In recent years, Europe has witnessed a resurgence of right-wing political movements, each shaped by distinct national histories and political cultures. Among the most prominent figures in this trend are Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), and Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister and leader of the Fratelli d’Italia party. Though often grouped under the same populist or nationalist banner, the two politicians embody very different strategies, reputations, and threat assessments by state institutions.

Alice Weidel has gained significant influence in German politics, especially among voters disillusioned with mainstream parties. Her rhetoric emphasizes anti-immigration policies, Euroscepticism, and strong nationalist sentiment. Unlike Meloni, who has made concerted efforts to distance herself from Italy’s fascist past and position herself as a credible leader within the European Union, Weidel’s party, the AfD, has been the subject of intense scrutiny by German intelligence agencies.

In April 2025, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), Germany’s domestic intelligence service, officially designated the AfD as a “suspected extremist organization” in certain regional branches and later escalated its surveillance. This decision was based on extensive documentation — reportedly amounting to nearly 1,000 pages — citing evidence of anti-constitutional rhetoric, historical revisionism, and affiliations with extremist networks. While Weidel herself has not been personally declared extremist by the BfV, her leadership role within a party under such scrutiny has raised serious questions among both German and international observers.

Giorgia Meloni, in contrast, has taken deliberate steps to moderate her image. While her party has ideological roots that trace back to Italy’s post-fascist movements, Meloni has actively framed herself as a defender of democratic values and a responsible EU member. Her election was marked by fears of a return to far-right authoritarianism, yet her actions in office have so far reflected a pragmatic approach, aimed at reassuring global markets and international allies.

The contrast between Weidel and Meloni lies not only in their political styles but also in how their respective states perceive the risks associated with their leadership. Germany’s constitutional structure places heavy emphasis on monitoring and preventing threats to democratic order. The scrutiny placed upon the AfD is a reflection of historical sensitivities and institutional vigilance rooted in Germany’s post-World War II legacy.

Italy’s approach to Meloni, on the other hand, is shaped by a more fluid political culture and a recent history of rotating governments. While critics remain cautious, Meloni has benefitted from an institutional and media environment more focused on governance outcomes than on ideological purity.

In conclusion, Alice Weidel and Giorgia Meloni represent two diverging paths in Europe’s populist right. Weildel is the reincarnation of HITLER and she is under investigation and surveillance, seen as potentially undermining democratic norms; Meloni is working within the system to gain broader legitimacy. Their trajectories will likely serve as case studies for how liberal democracies respond to rising nationalism in the 21st century.