Italy's ex-general Vannacci launches far-right party as 3,000 rally for forced migrant returns in Rome
Former general Roberto Vannacci opened the founding congress of his Futuro Nazionale party while a separate 3,000-strong march through Rome demanded the forced repatriation of immigrants, deepening right-wing competition ahead of Italy's parliamentary elections.
Demonstration and counter-protest
On Saturday, about 3,000 people from across Italy marched through the Prati district under heavy police presence, carrying a banner reading "Remigration and reconquest". Police vehicles blocked every side street; helicopters and drones circled overhead. The protesters, joined by neofascist groups like Casapound, demanded the forced return of migrants to their home countries.
We want to throw out the illegal immigrants, because they shouldn't be here. And because we are not politically correct, we also say we want to send home the legal immigrants who clearly haven't adapted or integrated.
At the Colosseum, a counter-demonstration gathered with a banner reading "Fuck remigration". Left-wing opposition MP Angelo Bonelli denounced the march and its "abhorrent slogans", accusing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of silence. Meloni has led a right-wing coalition for more than three and a half years.
Party founding and Vannacci's rhetoric
Simultaneously, the new party Futuro Nazionale (National Future) held its founding congress in Rome, drawing about 1,500 delegates. The party was launched by former general and MEP Roberto Vannacci, who quit the anti-immigration Lega earlier this year after a dispute with deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini.
In the past you weren't allowed to say the word remigration; now they tell us you can't do it because you can't strip citizenship.
Vannacci made clear he would not soften his positions. "Italy for the Italians!" he told supporters, insisting that his movement's appeal rested precisely on those stances. He has previously gained notoriety for comments against migrants and homosexuals, and for his book "Il mondo al contrario", in which he claimed minorities had established a dictatorship. The congress was set to continue Sunday with a closing speech by Vannacci.
Political challenge for Meloni
Futuro Nazionale is shaping up as a threat to Prime Minister Meloni's re-election hopes. Eight sitting parliamentarians have already switched sides to join Vannacci's movement. For Meloni, the rise of the new force creates a dilemma roughly 18 months before the next parliamentary elections: if she reaches out to Vannacci she risks alienating moderate voters; if she distances herself she could lose crucial votes from her own right-wing camp.
Vannacci brands the government "a timid right" and accuses it of being too weak toward the European Union, too soft on crime, and failing to deliver on deportation pledges. Meloni has sharply rejected the criticism.
Abhorrent slogans were shouted and Prime Minister Meloni remained silent.
Membership and polling
Since leaving Lega, Vannacci says his movement has signed up nearly 100,000 paying members. The party, which maintains ties to Germany's AfD, is polling at roughly 4 % to 4.5 %, with most of its support cannibalising former Lega voters. "We are the true right," Vannacci told delegates.
- Vannacci leaves Lega after dispute; later says his movement gains nearly 100,000 paying members.
- Thousands march through Prati under 'Remigration' banner; Futuro Nazionale founding congress begins with 1,500 delegates.
- Futuro Nazionale congress continues and concludes with Vannacci's closing speech.
Vannacci insists his party will not moderate. "Precisely because of these positions the movement is gaining support," he said.
