Roberto Vannacci’s Futuro Nazionale rises amid Italy’s electoral‑reform debate

Roberto Vannacci, former army general and leader of the new party Futuro Nazionale, has intensified his criticism of the centre‑right coalition for supporting a secret‑ballot amendment that removes voter preferences. He urges Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to adopt a clear position on preferential voting. Recent YouTrend/YouTrend polls show Futuro Nazionale climbing to 6.5 % of the vote, overtaking the Lega (5.9 %) and marking the party’s strongest showing since its launch.

The movement is expanding its local base: Vannacci toured Abruzzo, announcing the admission of former municipal assessors Valeria Toppetti and Christian Orta in Pescara, and later additional councillors in Vasto. The Pescara rally turned tense, with about a hundred protesters chanting anti‑fascist slogans and police deployed in riot gear, though no physical clashes were reported.

Centre‑right leaders have responded. League leader Matteo Salvini said Futuro Nazionale is unlikely to join a governing majority, noting Vannacci’s frequent criticism of the coalition and his voting record with the Democratic Party. Regional councillor Maddalena Spagnolo defended Vannacci against comments from Massimiliano Fedriga, reiterating the party’s stance on immigration‑remittance policies. Overall, the episode highlights growing fragmentation within Italy’s governing bloc ahead of the 2027 elections.