Far-right Italian general hunts the manosphere vote
The maverick ex-paratrooper now poses a headache for Giorgia Meloni, who must decide whether he is an asset or liability for her coalition.
Rome — Former paratrooper General Roberto Vannacci has transformed himself into a far-right political star in Italy by targeting the "manosphere" demographic. He portrays himself as a Roman legionary and charioteer on social media, posting provocative content and AI-generated images of women with exaggerated features. His political party, National Future, is polling at around 8%, making it a potential key player in building a right-wing coalition for the upcoming elections.
Vannacci's rhetoric and policies, such as opposing feminism, promoting traditional family values, and advocating for a "Mediterranean patriarchy," have drawn criticism from women's rights advocates and some within his own party. Despite these criticisms, Vannacci's popularity among young men and manual workers suggests that his message resonates with a significant portion of Italy's electorate.
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