Until recently, Ms Meloni appeared to be keeping Futuro Nazionale at arm’s length. She has accused the hard-Right party of aiding the centre-Left, pointing out that Futuro Nazionale had chosen to vote against the government on several occasions during parliamentary confidence votes.
There are now signs, however, that Brothers of Italy is realising that it may have to do a deal to win the next election.
“If the vote is to be held next September, which is the government’s intention, then there will be time to reflect and to compare policies with Futuro Nazionale,” said Galeazzo Bignami, a senior member of Brothers of Italy.
Gen Vannacci founded his party just a few months ago, but it has already eclipsed The League, from which he defected. The League now commands just 5.6 per cent of votes nationally, according to the Ipsos poll.