{
  "id": 15983956,
  "title": "Far-right Italian general hunts the manosphere vote",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/far-right-italian-general-hunts-the-manosphere-vote",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-22T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Politico EU",
    "slug": "politico-eu",
    "url": "https://www.politico.eu/article/roberto-vannacci-far-right-italy-manosphere-vote/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The maverick ex-paratrooper now poses a headache for Giorgia Meloni, who must decide whether he is an asset or liability for her coalition.",
  "key_points": [
    "General Roberto Vannacci targets manosphere demographic in Italy",
    "National Future party polling at 8%, potential key player in coalition",
    "Vannacci's rhetoric includes opposing feminism and promoting traditional family values"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Vannacci’s pivot toward provocative gender rhetoric signals a strategic attempt to consolidate a right-wing coalition by capturing the growing influence of young men and manual workers within the Italian electorate.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}