Giorgia Meloni’s stunning victory in Italy has sent shockwaves throughout the establishment in Europe and the United States. Nearly every media report has compared Meloni to former Italian dictator and fascist Benito Mussolini, whose rule came to an inglorious end in the final days of World War II.

Calling Italy “the birthplace of fascism,” the New York Times said Meloni’s victory “comes as formerly taboo and marginalized parties with Nazi or fascist heritages are entering the mainstream — and winning elections — across Europe.”