From the Margins to the Center of Power: Ignazio La Russa and the Reshaping of the Italian Right

In October 2022, when Ignazio La Russa was elected President of the Italian Senate, he secured the second-highest office in the Republic. For those who have followed his decades-long career, the image of this raspy-voiced, combative politician—known for his unapologetic collection of fascist-era memorabilia—presiding over the upper house of parliament is a striking historical paradox. He did not merely take a seat of state power; he crossed an invisible chasm in Italy's modern political history.
Born into a prominent family in Brescia, La Russa’s political lineage is deeply rooted in the post-war Italian Social Movement (MSI), a party founded by followers of Benito Mussolini. Unlike many of his contemporaries who have spent years attempting to sanitize their political origins, La Russa has rarely shied away from his background. His unapologetic stance on certain historical narratives long kept him on the fringes of a political establishment built on an explicitly anti-fascist constitution. For decades, he was the loud, abrasive voice of a marginalized right.
However, viewing him solely through the lens of historical provocation misses the pragmatism that defines his career. Beneath the confrontational exterior lies a shrewd political architect. In the 1990s, he was instrumental in the transition from the MSI to the National Alliance, a strategic move designed to bring the radical right into the mainstream democratic fold. Later, when Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right coalition faltered, La Russa co-founded Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) alongside Giorgia Meloni. He proved that political survival in Italy requires not just ideological conviction, but the tactical flexibility to rebuild and rebrand.
Now occupying a role that demands strict constitutional impartiality, La Russa navigates a complex tightrope. The Italian Republic was founded on the resistance against fascism, yet its institutional leadership now includes figures with direct ties to that very past. This tension surfaced early in his tenure, when remarks regarding the anti-fascist resistance sparked boycotts from opposition lawmakers. As Senate President, La Russa is forced to reconcile his partisan identity with the neutral dignity his office requires, often resulting in a friction that plays out in real-time on the parliamentary floor.
Ultimately, the trajectory of Ignazio La Russa is a mirror reflecting the evolution of the Italian right. His journey from a marginalized radical to an institutional pillar demonstrates how political landscapes transform over time. His presence at the apex of the Italian state suggests that history has not been buried or forgotten. Instead, it has simply been renegotiated, taking a seat at the highest tables of power.