Far-right leader Vannacci to make mainstream debut at Cernobbio business forum

Italian far-right politician Roberto Vannacci is set to attend the prestigious TEHA business forum in Cernobbio this week, a move that signals his growing acceptance within the country's establishment circles. The annual gathering on Lake Como, which begins Friday, is one of Italy's most influential meetings of political, financial, and business leaders, drawing representatives from seven governments and top European Union officials.

Vannacci, whose Futuro Nazionale party has become Italy's fourth-most-popular political force just seven months after its launch, will participate in a Saturday panel on the future of European integration. He will share the stage with former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, a moderate and staunchly pro-European figure. The debate has attracted more media attention than any other event on the programme, with dozens of business executives expected to attend.

A former army general, Vannacci rose to prominence after publishing a book criticising what he described as excessive rights granted to minorities and LGBTQ groups. His policy proposals include abolishing Italy's same-sex civil unions, expelling immigrants who fail to assimilate "the values of our civilisation," and doubling the legal residence requirement for citizenship to 20 years.

With national elections due next year, Vannacci poses a significant challenge to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's re-election hopes. Since leaving the coalition League party, he has steadily drawn support away from her ruling bloc. His presence at the forum has sparked outrage among opposition parties, with centrist Azione leader Carlo Calenda announcing a boycott and accusing the business elite of "chasing after the latest populist to come along."

Calenda has described Vannacci as "a dangerous man" acting in Russia's interests, noting the former military attache in Moscow strongly opposes sending arms to Ukraine and favours reopening business ties with the Kremlin. Vannacci, however, has vowed to "surprise with common sense," telling daily Il Foglio that Italian entrepreneurs need politicians to stop burdening them with new taxes, red tape, and unstable rules.

Valerio De Molli, chief executive of the TEHA Group, defended the invitation, saying the forum was designed to create space for dialogue among people holding different views. Monti, who explicitly requested the debate be open to the public, said both Vannacci and France's Jordan Bardella — who will also participate in the broader session on Europe — could one day find themselves in government, making the question of nationalist and populist influence on the EU both unavoidable and valuable to understand.