The hard-right leader has excoriated the European Union in the past, and she regularly blasts illegal immigrants and George Soros. But she is closer than ever to becoming prime minister.
The downfall of Italy’s prime minister has raised concerns across Europe about the power of populist movements and whether they will erode unity against Russian aggression.
Days after he tendered his resignation, the Italian leader tried one more time to convince the country’s fractious parties to hang together. They refused.