Rachele Mussolini Quits Brothers of Italy over Right-Wing Stance

Rachele Mussolini, granddaughter of Italy's wartime dictator, has left Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party. Deeming it too right-wing, she has joined the centrist Forza Italia. Mussolini cited disagreements over minority rights and recently opposed Meloni on the issue of boxer Imane Khelif's gender eligibility.

Rachele Mussolini, granddaughter of Italy's wartime dictator Benito Mussolini, announced on Thursday her departure from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, labeling it too right-wing. The city councillor in Rome, who garnered the most votes in the last council elections in 2021, is transitioning to the centrist Forza Italia at City Hall. She stated that this move aligns with her moderate and centrist sensibilities.

The Brothers of Italy party, tracing its origins to the Italian Social Movement (MSI) - an heir to Mussolini's fascists, has been attempting to position itself as a mainstream conservative group since Meloni took office in 2022. However, critics argue that this rebranding is superficial, pointing to the party's rigid stances on immigration, abortion, same-sex parenting, and stricter penalties for surrogate motherhood.

Forza Italia, part of Meloni's governing coalition, also champions traditional Christian values while adopting more liberal stances on civil rights. According to a political source, Mussolini's decision was significantly influenced by these rights issues. Last month, she publicly clashed with Meloni over the gender of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, defending her amid controversy over her gender eligibility test. Mussolini emphasized that Khelif deserved respect and should not be subjected to a 'witch hunt.'

(With inputs from agencies.)