Giorgia Meloni, who recently became Italy's first female Prime Minister, has been controversially labeled the "man of the year" by the right-wing newspaper Libero. This article, titled 'Man of the Year,' authored by Mario Sechi, the paper’s Rome bureau chief and a former leader of Meloni's public relations team, has sparked criticism from women’s rights activists in Italy. Despite acknowledging Meloni's achievement in breaking gender barriers, the article has faced backlash for allegedly downplaying her role in addressing issues related to violence against women.
The piece asserts that Giorgia Meloni triumphed in "the war of the sexes" in Italy and went beyond merely shattering the glass ceiling; she supposedly dissolved it. Sechi contends that in a society marked by weak ideologies, Meloni stands out for her strong ideas, claiming that she has successfully challenged conventional gender norms and displayed prowess in times of conflict.
The article argues that Meloni deemed the 'man of the year' by Libero, has not just broken the glass ceiling but has eradicated it, overcoming male arrogance and female defeatism. Despite its positive portrayal of Meloni's accomplishments, the piece has drawn criticism from Italy's opposition parties, accusing her of neglecting the welfare of Italian women.
Elly Schlein, the secretary of the center-left Democratic Party, expressed discontent with the article, suggesting that a right-wing newspaper is promoting the idea that politics and power are exclusively for men. Schlein questioned the significance of being labeled 'man of the year' and considered it a surrender rather than an aspiration for a female politician.
MP Elisabetta Piccolotti denounced the article as an affirmation of male superiority and urged Meloni to disapprove of it. She even asked Meloni to clarify her gender identity, facetiously questioning if she identifies as a woman, a man, or non-binary.
While opposition figures criticize the designation of 'Man of the Year,' Gennaro Sangiuliano, the culture minister in Meloni's government and a former deputy director of Libero, defended the title, asserting that Meloni deserved the recognition.
As of now, Giorgia Meloni has not publicly commented on the controversial Libero article.
