Italian Political Landscape Shifts as Vannacci Launches New Party, Polls Show Right-Wing Decline
Italy’s political landscape is undergoing a period of change, marked by the recent formation of a new right-wing party, National Future, led by Roberto Vannacci, and a corresponding dip in support for established right-wing parties, according to recent polling data. These developments are creating a more competitive dynamic between the governing coalition and the opposition.
Vannacci’s Departure and the Rise of National Future
Roberto Vannacci, a former general and Member of the European Parliament, formally left Matteo Salvini’s League party in February 2026 to establish National Future. Reuters reports this move followed weeks of internal turmoil within the League and highlights a growing ideological rift on the Italian right. Vannacci, who previously served as Salvini’s deputy, aims to create a more staunchly nationalist political force. Politico notes Vannacci described his vision as “true, coherent, nationalist, strong, proud, convinced, enthusiastic, pure, and contagious.” He officially registered the party on February 6, 2026. Wikipedia
Polling Data Reveals Shifting Support
Recent polling data indicates a decline in support for both Brothers of Italy (FdI) and the League. According to an average of polls, Brothers of Italy currently stands at 29.1%, a decrease of 0.7% over the past three weeks. The League has experienced a more significant drop, falling to 7.1%, representing a loss of 1.1 percentage points in the same period. This places the League’s support at its lowest level since 2013, when it was known as the Northern League and achieved around 4% of the vote.
Impact on the Governing Coalition
The combined support for the center-right coalition currently stands around 46%, a figure that, whereas potentially sufficient for electoral victory, is not entirely reassuring. The decline in support for the League and Brothers of Italy raises concerns about the coalition’s overall stability and electoral prospects.
Opposition Gains and Challenges
The Democratic Party has seen a modest increase in support, rising to 22.5%, a gain of 0.5 percentage points in the last three weeks. However, other parties within the broader opposition coalition, such as the 5 Star Movement and Italia Viva, have experienced declines in support. The overall opposition coalition currently holds 44.8% of the vote, narrowing the gap with the governing coalition to approximately one percentage point.
National Future’s Early Impact
National Future currently holds 3.1% of the vote, likely drawing support from both the League and Brothers of Italy. The extent to which Vannacci’s party will maintain or grow its support remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the Italian political landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Roberto Vannacci has launched a new right-wing party, National Future, after leaving the League.
- Polling data indicates a decline in support for both Brothers of Italy and the League.
- The Democratic Party has experienced a slight increase in support, but other opposition parties have lost ground.
- National Future is currently polling at 3.1%, potentially drawing support from the right-wing parties.