In a striking television appearance on Sunday, March 23, 2025, political figure Elsa Fornero did not hold back her criticisms of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini during an episode of the show In Altre Parole. Her remarks have set off a wave of reactions online, as she portrayed the current government as dysfunctional and Salvini's political fortunes as grim.
Fornero, who formerly served as Italy's Minister of Labor, opined on Meloni's presence in the political arena, asserting, “Meloni knows she is strong, while Salvini no longer knows who to turn to because he has lost his electorate.” She expressed that Salvini's inability to connect with voters has diminished his standing in Italian politics.
In a candid tête-à-tête with Massimo Gramellini, Fornero didn't shy away from labeling Salvini's party as one that has devolved into what she referred to as the party of "quaquaraqua"—a term she used disparagingly to suggest a lack of seriousness or credibility. “Being the party of 'quaquaraqua' is the maximum for them,” she remarked. “They were the party of the North, now they are the party of the quaquaraqua,” she added, emphasizing how far she believes the party has fallen from its original stature.
Fornero’s commentary extended to a critique of the government's overall performance, which she described in stark terms. "We are at an almost pathetic level," she said, suggesting that this reflects poorly on not just Salvini but also on the broader governance of the country under Meloni’s leadership.
Additionally, she offered differing assessments of Meloni and Salvini's political navigations. While acknowledging that Meloni has a coherent approach and understands how to maneuver in the international arena, Fornero was less kind to Salvini: “...but Salvini does not seem to know how to move in the international arena. It’s all wrong. I don’t know how we’ve managed so far,” she remarked, casting doubt on his strategic capabilities.
The public swiftly reacted to Fornero's sharp critiques, with many users across social media platforms expressing strong sentiments about her comments. Comments from the online community varied from sarcasm to outright disapproval. One user pointedly questioned, “The Fornero who had hypocritical tears after preventing tens of thousands of workers (the 'esodati') from surviving?”
Another chimed in with mockery, suggesting, “Why doesn’t she run for office? She’ll see how many votes she gets compared to Salvini.” This unmistakably sarcastic jab hints at the contentious political landscape in Italy where past actions can often overshadow current criticisms.
Furthermore, many social media comments underscored a general fatigue with political figures who are perceived as disconnected from the electorate's needs. Users asked critiques like, “Who elected her to tell us what we should do?” and questioned the relevance of Fornero’s commentary given her historical role.
The political discourse in Italy remains fractious, with Fornero's comments reigniting attention on the dynamics between Meloni and Salvini. Her insights raise significant questions about their future roles in government as both leaders face internal and external challenges.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, both Meloni and Salvini's ability to respond to such criticisms and the broader electorate's needs will be closely watched. For now, Elsa Fornero's candid remarks serve both as a critique and a call for reflection within Italian politics, as the government attempts to navigate a tumultuous socio-economic climate.
