France 24 scrutinises democratic pressures in Meloni’s Italy ahead of 2027 vote

France 24’s Europe Rendezvous programme has examined the increasing pressure on Italy’s democratic institutions under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition government. The broadcast, which aired on 24 July 2026, outlines accusations that the administration is seeking greater influence over the judiciary, the media and the electoral system as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

The report identifies specific challenges faced by migrants and women seeking abortions in parts of Italy, alongside growing political pressure on journalists. Meloni leads a coalition comprising conservatives and the far right, and the segment suggests that the government’s actions are contributing to an authoritarian drift within the European Union’s founding member state.

To contextualise the political landscape, the programme features interviews with Gianfranco Fini, a pivotal figure in the history of the Italian far right and Meloni’s longtime mentor. The segment also includes MEP Paolo Borchia from The League, a coalition partner, discussing whether participating in government has affected the party’s credibility and poll support.

From the opposition, MEP Dario Nardella of the Socialists and Democrats offers a critical assessment of the government’s economic record. He specifically highlights concerns regarding the use of the EU’s post-pandemic recovery fund, noting that Italy was the largest beneficiary of the financial package.

The broadcast concludes by examining the state of media freedom, citing the resignation of the cross-party parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing the public broadcaster RAI. The report also notes that Italy has fallen to 56th place in Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index, underscoring the concerns raised regarding the independence of the press.