Italy’s first female Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is named Man of the Year by newspaper that says: ‘In times of war, we have chosen someone who knows how to fight’

Italy's first female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has been named 'Man of the Year' by a far-right newspaper, sparking outrage from political opponents.

Ms Meloni, 46, was credited by the daily Libero Quotidiano for winning “the war of the sexes” in Italy. The newspaper added that she had “not only broken the glass ceiling, but solved it.”

Next to a photo of the Prime Minister – a growing ally of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – wearing a white double-breasted blazer with her arms folded behind her back, it said she had “passed the test of 2023”.

The article, described by a female opponent as a “surrender” to the idea that politics is only for men, was written by Mario Sechi, head of the Libero bureau in Rome and, until September this year, former head of the PR team from Mrs. Meloni.

He wrote: 'In our society of weak thinking we have recognized strong ideas. In case of excessive diversity, we have reversed the gender. In times of war, we chose someone who has shown she can fight.”

Libero Quotidiano said she had 'passed the test of 2023' and praised her for winning 'the war between the sexes'

Ms Meloni has become a key international ally of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he has moved the party further to the right (Photo: Mr Sunak met Ms Meloni earlier this month)

Editorial of Sechi praised Ms. Meloni for winning “the war between the sexes… by thinking differently, diverging, overcoming the arrogance of men and the defeatism of women.”

But political opponents, especially women, have called on her to distance herself from the award.

In comments reported by the TelegraphElly Schlein, secretary of the centre-left Democratic Party, said: 'Today a right-wing newspaper explains to us that politics and power are for men.

Elly Schlein, secretary of the centre-left Democratic Party, said: 'Today a right-wing newspaper explains to us that politics and power are for men.

'I don't think it is my ambition as a politician to become man of the year. On the contrary, I think this is a surrender.'

Elisabetta Piccolotti, an MP from the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (Greens and Left Alliance), said the cover was “an affirmation of male superiority.”

She called on Ms Meloni to reject it, adding on Facebook: 'At this point, Prime Minister, please clarify: are you a woman, are you a man or are you non-binary?'

Others took to social media to post memes that appeared to poke fun at the naming of a female prime minister as 'man of the year'.

But Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, former deputy director of Libero, told journalists the title was well deserved.

Ms Meloni, who became prime minister in October 2022, leads the right-wing populist Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, which promotes traditional family values ​​and a crackdown on immigration while opposing euthanasia, abortion and same-sex marriage.

She has become a key international ally of Rishi Sunak, as under his leadership he has moved the Conservatives further to the right with a desire for tougher action on migrants in Europe.

The pair met in Rome earlier this month, where they shared a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek, before Mr Sunak spoke at a meeting of Italian conservatives and right-wingers on immigration.

He told the meeting that criminal gangs are using migration as a 'weapon… to try to destabilize our society', amid an ongoing battle to pass his Rwanda Bill, which would see asylum seekers arriving in Britain sent to the African country are sent.

Ms. Meloni did not comment on the Libero Quotidiano article.