Just four months after leaving the League party, one of Meloni’s coalition partners, Vannacci says his new party, Futuro Nazionale, has attracted nearly 100,000 paying members and is polling at around 4% nationally, a level that could prove influential in a closely contested election.

The rise of the former paratrooper presents a strategic dilemma for Meloni. Embracing Vannacci could alienate moderate voters who have supported her efforts to reposition her government as a mainstream conservative force, while ignoring him risks allowing a rival on the right to gain further momentum.

Futuro Nazionale is due to be formally launched this weekend and is positioning itself as a nationalist alternative to the governing coalition, accusing Meloni and her allies of abandoning core right-wing principles.

“We represent that right which is not faded, not wavering, not fearful,” Vannacci said earlier this year, arguing that the government had softened its positions on European integration, migration and law-and-order issues.

The 57-year-old first gained national prominence after publishing a controversial book advocating traditional values while criticizing LGBTQ rights, migration and feminist movements. The publication led to criticism from Italy’s defense establishment and his suspension from active military service.

League leader and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini later brought Vannacci into the party, helping him secure election to the European Parliament in 2024. However, the alliance proved short-lived, with Vannacci leaving in February to establish his own movement.

Political analysts say his emergence is likely to intensify competition within Italy’s right-wing electorate.

Sofia Ventura, a political science professor at the University of Bologna, said Salvini’s decision to promote Vannacci had ultimately strengthened a future rival and could pressure both Salvini and Meloni to adopt tougher positions to retain conservative voters.

An SWG opinion poll published on Friday placed Futuro Nazionale at 4.6%, narrowing the gap with the League, which stood at 5.8%. The same survey showed a loose alliance of center-left parties marginally ahead of the governing coalition.

Vannacci has aligned himself in the European Parliament with nationalist and Eurosceptic forces, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), a stance that has complicated prospects for cooperation with more moderate coalition partners such as Forza Italia.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, leader of Forza Italia, said he had no contact with Vannacci, although he did not rule out future discussions before the next election.

Since taking office in 2022, Meloni has sought to transform her Brothers of Italy party from a hard-right opposition movement into a governing force accepted by European and transatlantic partners. Her support for Ukraine and efforts to maintain constructive relations with Brussels have strengthened her international standing.

Vannacci’s platform challenges that approach. He combines criticism of the European Union with skepticism about Western military support for Ukraine and has argued against what he describes as unconditional backing for Kyiv.

His movement has already attracted eight lawmakers from coalition parties, highlighting concerns within government ranks that his influence could grow further.

Whether Futuro Nazionale develops into a lasting political force may depend on its ability to build a broader organization beyond Vannacci’s personal popularity. For now, however, his rise has added a new source of uncertainty to Italy’s increasingly competitive political landscape.

The snap election was triggered after parliament failed to resolve a months-long dispute over the election of a new president, leading to the legislature’s dissolution in April and extending a period of political uncertainty in Europe’s youngest nation.

Analysts expect Kurti’s Vetevendosje movement to emerge as the largest party once again, although its ability to translate electoral success into effective governance remains uncertain. Even if it secures another victory, the party is expected to require cooperation from rivals to obtain the two-thirds parliamentary majority necessary to elect a president and end the institutional stalemate.

Kosovo has spent much of the past year without a fully operational government as fragmented political forces repeatedly failed to agree on key leadership appointments. The inability to elect first a parliamentary speaker and later a head of state has deepened concerns about governance and reform implementation.

Kurti’s Vetevendosje party won 51.1% of the vote in the December election, improving on its 42% result in February 2025. However, the party was unable to secure support from opposition groups for a presidential candidate, resulting in another collapse of the political process.

The European Union has repeatedly urged Kosovo’s political leaders to establish stable institutions capable of advancing reforms required for eventual membership in the bloc. Political instability has raised concerns in Brussels about the pace of governance, judicial and economic reforms.

Since first taking power in 2021, Vetevendosje has pursued a nationalist and welfare-oriented agenda while maintaining Kosovo’s broadly pro-Western foreign policy orientation. The party has also resisted making additional concessions in negotiations with Serbia, which continues to reject Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence and remains at odds with Pristina over a range of political and security issues.

According to Kosovo’s election commission, more than 900 candidates from 17 political parties and three coalition groups are contesting seats in the 120-member parliament.

More than 2.1 million voters are registered to cast ballots, a figure exceeding Kosovo’s resident population of roughly 1.6 million because of a large diaspora community concentrated mainly in Western Europe. The diaspora has traditionally been an important source of support for Kurti and his party.

The election is being closely watched by European officials and regional observers seeking signs that Kosovo can overcome repeated political deadlocks and restore institutional stability after more than a year of recurring electoral contests.

The procession, which moved through the Muslim Quarter toward the Western Wall, is one of Israel’s most politically charged nationalist demonstrations and has long inflamed tensions between Israelis and Palestinians over the contested city.

Israeli police erected barricades around Damascus Gate and restricted access to parts of the Old City, while Palestinian shopkeepers said authorities ordered businesses shut ahead of the march.Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and later annexed the territory in a move not recognized by most of the international community.

Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, making the annual march a focal point of competing national claims.“Jerusalem is our holy city. It is our holy city forever,” Shira Gefen, a participant who traveled from near Haifa to attend the event, told Reuters.

Thousands of security personnel, including riot police, were deployed across Jerusalem as crowds carrying Israeli flags streamed through narrow streets of the Old City.

The parade route traditionally passes through Palestinian neighborhoods, drawing criticism from Palestinians and rights groups who accuse Israeli authorities of enabling nationalist displays intended to reinforce Israeli control over East Jerusalem.

The event comes at a time of heightened political and military strain across the Middle East, with the ongoing Iran conflict and renewed regional security concerns fueling nationalist rhetoric on multiple fronts.

Jerusalem Day commemorates Israel’s seizure of East Jerusalem and access to Jewish holy sites during the 1967 conflict. The march concludes at the Western Wall, revered by Jews as the last remnant of the ancient Temple complex.

Muslims refer to the same elevated compound above the wall as Al Haram Al Sharif, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third-holiest site.Previous Jerusalem Day marches have seen clashes between Israeli nationalists and Palestinians, with some demonstrators chanting anti-Arab slogans.

Israeli authorities said security measures this year were aimed at preventing violence and maintaining order during the celebrations.

The procession, which moved through the Muslim Quarter toward the Western Wall, is one of Israel’s most politically charged nationalist demonstrations and has long inflamed tensions between Israelis and Palestinians over the contested city.

Israeli police erected barricades around Damascus Gate and restricted access to parts of the Old City, while Palestinian shopkeepers said authorities ordered businesses shut ahead of the march.Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and later annexed the territory in a move not recognized by most of the international community.

Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, making the annual march a focal point of competing national claims.“Jerusalem is our holy city. It is our holy city forever,” Shira Gefen, a participant who traveled from near Haifa to attend the event, told Reuters.

Thousands of security personnel, including riot police, were deployed across Jerusalem as crowds carrying Israeli flags streamed through narrow streets of the Old City.

The parade route traditionally passes through Palestinian neighborhoods, drawing criticism from Palestinians and rights groups who accuse Israeli authorities of enabling nationalist displays intended to reinforce Israeli control over East Jerusalem.

The event comes at a time of heightened political and military strain across the Middle East, with the ongoing Iran conflict and renewed regional security concerns fueling nationalist rhetoric on multiple fronts.

Jerusalem Day commemorates Israel’s seizure of East Jerusalem and access to Jewish holy sites during the 1967 conflict. The march concludes at the Western Wall, revered by Jews as the last remnant of the ancient Temple complex.

Muslims refer to the same elevated compound above the wall as Al Haram Al Sharif, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third-holiest site.Previous Jerusalem Day marches have seen clashes between Israeli nationalists and Palestinians, with some demonstrators chanting anti-Arab slogans.

Israeli authorities said security measures this year were aimed at preventing violence and maintaining order during the celebrations.

The backlash has emerged despite earlier efforts by Trump to rebuild ties with Europe’s far right after returning to the White House last year.

While U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently campaigned for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, such overt support has become increasingly rare amid discontent over the Iran war.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declined to allow U.S. forces to use an air base in Sicily for strikes on Iran, while Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally, described Trump’s war objectives as “erratic.”

In Germany, officials from the Alternative for Germany have called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in the country.The tensions come even as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains in place, underscoring the broader geopolitical strain triggered by the conflict.

Analysts say the developments highlight the limits of Trump’s ambition to forge a cohesive international bloc of nationalist movements.

“Getting a blessing from Donald Trump is now a mixed blessing,” said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The rift follows earlier friction between Washington and European allies over Trump’s remarks targeting Denmark in connection with his demand that the country cede Greenland to the United States.

Trump also criticized NATO for what he described as insufficient support during recent tensions.Daniel Baer, a former U.S. ambassador and State Department official, said the latest disagreements reflect the difficulty of sustaining a unified nationalist coalition across borders.

“Building some sort of international coalition around national chauvinism is very difficult,” he said.Orbán, long regarded as a key Trump ally, has so far avoided direct criticism, maintaining a cautious stance on the Iran conflict. In a recent interview, he said it was too early to determine whether U.S. actions would lead to peace or further escalation.

Hungary’s leader has emphasized his relationship with Trump as a pillar of his foreign policy, often presenting it to voters as a source of security and international leverage. However, analysts warn that the association could carry political risks as perceptions of the U.S. administration shift.

According to Mario Bikarsku, a senior Europe analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, recent U.S. engagement in Hungary could have unintended consequences for Orbán’s domestic standing.

Experts note that the rise of far-right parties across Europe has largely been driven by domestic political dynamics rather than external influence, suggesting limited incentive for alignment with Washington’s policies.

Kupchan said nationalist movements in countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany have gained traction independently, shaped more by local economic and political conditions than by U.S. support.

The evolving divisions underscore the fragility of transnational political alliances built on ideological affinity, particularly as the Iran conflict continues to reshape global alignments.

National Day celebrations are a significant event in many countries, marking a moment of unity, pride, and reflection on a nation’s history and achievements. Imam Sudais’ remarks serve as a poignant reminder of the role that patriotism plays in shaping a cohesive and thriving society.

Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz al-Sudais, commonly known as Al-Sudais, serves as one of the nine imams at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He also holds the position of president at the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

Known for his enchanting recitation of Quran, and influence in Makkah and beyond, expressed the view that celebrating National Day extends beyond mere festivity. Instead, he believes it represents a deep-seated sense of love and loyalty to one’s homeland, echoing the sentiments of countless individuals who cherish their nation’s values, traditions, and shared identity.

The Imam’s statement takes on added significance as it positions patriotism as not just a cultural or civic sentiment but as a religious duty. This perspective aligns with the belief that love and devotion to one’s country can be seen as an extension of one’s faith and commitment to the well-being of the nation’s people.

Moreover, Imam Sudais contends that celebrating National Day is not merely a personal choice but a collective and nationwide aspiration.

As Imam Sudais’ message serves as a compelling call to action for individuals and communities to come together, celebrate their nation’s achievements, and renew their commitment to the principles that unite them.

This also shows that loving your country can mean different things to different people, including being connected to your faith and community. It reminds that National Day brings everyone together, no matter where they come from or what they believe in.