Feb 13 • 04:00 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy Il Giornale

Cold shower for feminists: 'Here’s who beats the patriarchy'

A German weekly praises three right-wing Italian women, raising questions about their impact on patriarchal structures in Italy.

Italian feminists may be shocked by an article in the German magazine Die Zeit titled 'The Sisters of Italy,' which offers a commendation of three right-wing Italian women: Giorgia Meloni, Arianna Meloni, and Marina Berlusconi. This recognition from a publication not typically associated with conservative views is particularly notable given Die Zeit's history of critiquing Italy's right. The article highlights their influential roles, referring to them as the 'three women who dominate Italy' and suggesting that Meloni, as a leader, may be destabilizing the patriarchal order from the right by sharing her power with women.

Die Zeit posits that instead of a 'triumvirate,' it might be more appropriate to describe the trio as a 'triummulierato,' a neologism denoting a new phenomenon in Western democracies. This concept underscores an evolution in leadership dynamics and challenges traditional perceptions of women's roles within the political landscape. By framing Giorgia Meloni not as a feminist but as a fully emancipated woman, Die Zeit pushes back against conventional feminist narratives, prompting a reevaluation of what empowerment means in contemporary society.

This article's implications extend beyond Italy, indicating a broader reconsideration of women's political empowerment within conservative frameworks worldwide. The recognition of these women invites discussions about how female leaders can operate within patriarchal systems without adhering to feminist ideologies, further complicating the dialogue surrounding gender equality and representation in politics. As this narrative gains traction, it could influence public perceptions of women's roles in leadership across various nations, potentially reshaping the discourse around feminism and political power.

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