Neofascism and the Push for Remigration in Italy

The Shift from Ballots to Influence: A Recent Right-Wing Strategy

For decades, far-right and neofascist movements in Europe focused on winning seats in parliament to achieve their goals. Yet, a significant tactical shift is occurring. Instead of pursuing electoral victory—which can be difficult for fringe groups—these organizations are now focusing on “agenda-setting.”

The goal is no longer to govern directly, but to push radical proposals into the mainstream discourse, forcing governing parties to adopt these policies to maintain their right-wing base. This creates a symbiotic relationship where the fringe group provides the ideological “edge,” and the governing party provides the legislative power.

A prime example of What we have is the activity of neofascist groups like CasaPound. Despite their marginal electoral weight—with groups like CasaPound and Forza Nuova failing to reach even 1 percent of the vote in 2018—they maintain influence by organizing high-profile events and petitions that attract the attention of mainstream politicians.

The Rise of ‘Remigration’ as a Policy Tool

One of the most contentious trends emerging from this ideological shift is the concept of “remigration.” Unlike standard repatriation, remigration is a broad, radical approach to migration that prioritizes the forced expulsion of all undocumented individuals.

However, the strategy extends beyond those without legal status. Proponents of remigration suggest that legal migrants should be incentivized to leave voluntarily, often through the promise of financial bonuses. The ultimate aim, according to these advocates, is to prevent the perceived disappearance of the native population.

This movement has gained significant momentum through grassroots mobilization. The Committee for Remigration and Recovery, for instance, has utilized petitions to demonstrate public support, collecting 150,000 signatures to pressure the Italian parliament to discuss remigration legislation.

The Blurring Line Between Post-Fascism and Neofascism

In the current political landscape, the boundary between governing “post-fascist” parties and fringe neofascist movements is becoming increasingly porous. This is particularly evident in Italy, where the roots of current leadership often trace back to the Italian Social Movement (MSI), a party founded by Mussolini supporters in 1946.

While leaders like Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni present themselves as conventional conservative heads of state on the international stage, the internal dynamics are more complex. The presence of government figures—such as Lega senator Gianluca Cantalamessa and regional council member Gennaro Sangiuliano—at events organized by neofascist groups illustrates a shared ideological orbit.

This alignment is often built on shared narratives. During recent gatherings, speakers have linked migration to criminality and referenced literature like Michel Houellebecq’s Soumission to argue that European states are becoming unrecognizable due to Islamic influence.

The ‘Ethnic Replacement’ Narrative and Its Impact

At the heart of these trends is the “ethnic replacement” or “great replacement” conspiracy theory. This theory posits that the white, Christian population of Europe is being deliberately replaced by non-European migrants.

While this was once a purely fringe belief, it has begun to seep into the rhetoric of high-ranking politicians. Even those who distance themselves from the label of “fascist” have, at various times, referenced these themes to justify more repressive migration policies.

The danger of this narrative lies in its ability to normalize extreme measures. When the public is convinced that their existence is under threat, “remigration” stops looking like a radical proposal and starts looking like a necessary defense mechanism.

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