The collapse of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s national unity government in July 2022 was a pivotal factor in the rise of the Brothers of Italy to power.
Because Brothers of Italy was the only major political party in opposition to Draghi’s government during its existence in 2021–22, it became the primary outlet for Italian voter discontent. When the coalition supporting Draghi imploded, the party was well positioned to capitalize. By September 2022, Brothers of Italy was leading all other parties in election polls, and it subsequently won the national election with 26 percent of the vote.
Following this victory, the party formed a coalition with two other conservative parties, resulting in the party’s leader, Giorgia Meloni, becoming Italy’s first female prime minister. Pundits labeled her government the most right-wing government established in Italy since 1946. In September 2026 it was still in place, making it the longest-lasting Italian government since World War II.