Vannacci became a well-known and discussed figure following the publication, in August 2023, of his book Il mondo al contrario which, due to the controversial statements expressed on feminism, immigrants, homosexuals, environmentalism, and Jews[6] brought him to the center of considerable media attention. The book rose to first place among the best sellers in Italy in the week from 14 to 20 August.[7] Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that the publication had not been cleared by Vannacci's superiors and that Vannacci "expressed opinions that discredit the Army, the Ministry of Defence and the Constitution".[5]
On 18 August 2023, a summary investigation was opened against General Vannacci for the contents of his book by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, Army Corps General Pietro Serino.
Given the results of this investigation, on 4 November the general was informed of the opening of a formal investigation against him to ascertain any disciplinary infractions.[8] This investigation ended in February 2024 with suspension from service for 11 months with half the salary.[9] According to the conclusions of the internal proceedings, in fact, the publication of the book would have determined an "injury to the principle of neutrality/third party of the Armed Force [...] compromising the prestige and reputation of the Administration to which it belongs and generating possible disruptive and divisive emulative effects in the 'scope of the military team".[10]
Member of the European Parliament and party leader
In April 2024, he accepted the candidacy to the European Parliament for the party Lega.[11] He was elected to the European Parliament and was the second most voted candidate in Italy.[12] On 16 July 2024, he was elected vice president of the EP group Patriots for Europe,[13] but his nominee was opposed by the other parties and he was removed on the following day.[14][15]
On 15 May 2025, Vannacci was appointed deputy secretary of Lega, under the leadership of Matteo Salvini.[16] In December 2025, Vannacci launched a political think tank that re-evaluated the role of the twenty years of Fascism and of Freemasonry, passing through the Italian Risorgimento and Italy's Pater Patriae.[17]
Towards 2025, rumors began circulating that Vannacci was considering a break from the League to pursue an independent political project.[18] In late 2025, he promoted a network of political committees and associations known as "The World Upside Down" (Il Mondo al Contrario), named after his 2023 book and developed as an organisational base for his political activism. Originally conceived as a cultural association to promote Vannacci's ideas, the network grew rapidly across Italy with dozens of local team committees established to articulate his political vision and mobilise supporters.[19] These speculations intensified in January 2026, after he registered the trademark and symbol for a proposed political movement called National Future (Futuro Nazionale) with the European intellectual property authorities, suggesting plans to create a distinct party.[20] On 3 February 2026, Vannacci formally left the League, ending his affiliation with the party after months of internal tensions over his political positions,[21] and launched his new party's manifesto.[22] On the same day, Vannacci was expelled from the Patriots for Europe group.[23]
Political positions
Abortion
Vannacci has described himself as opposed to abortion, explaining that he doesn't consider it a right and that it's necessary to try to convince women not to have abortions.[24] He has endorsed the value manifesto of the non-profit organization Pro Vita & Famiglia.[25]
Disability
Vannacci expressed the desire to create separate classes for intellectually disabled students, arguing that this wouldn't be a discriminatory approach: "You can have them attend a lesson together, for a sense of belonging, but then they need specific support."[24] The proposal was harshly criticized by politicians across the entire parliamentary spectrum, including members of the Lega, and by the Italian Episcopal Conference.[26][27] Subsequently, the General reaffirmed his statements, declaring his conviction that helping disabled individuals in the most specific way may sometimes "not coincide with putting them together with other people with different characteristics"[26] and that dedicated facilities would be necessary to ensure they receive particular attentions.[28]
According to some observers, Vannacci deliberately conducted a communication campaign based on being "politically incorrect", seeking the votes of fascist nostalgics in an indirect way by playing on a certain ambiguity.[29] He refused to define himself as antifascist, arguing that "you cannot be against something that no longer exists",[30] stated that Benito Mussolini "did good things",[31] and referred to him several times as a "statesman", since he held government positions.[32][24][33]
Other controversies arose during the 2024 European election campaign, when Vannacci released an electoral video spot in which he invited voters to mark una decima on the Lega symbol. Accused of wanting to celebrate the Xª Flottiglia MAS of the Italian Social Republic, Vannacci clarified that he was referring to the namesake special unit of the Royal Navy that operated until 1943.[34] He made similar references on subsequent occasions.[35][36]
In November 2025, Vannacci claimed that Mussolini came to power in a formally legal way, that the March on Rome "was not a coup d'état but little more than a street demonstration", and that until the mid-1930s fascism exercised power legally,[37][38] not mentioning the fact that in its early years, Mussolini's political party was a paramilitary organization that killed Giacomo Matteotti,[39] receiving criticism from the opposition, from unions such as the CGIL and even from members and allies of his own party.[40]
Russia
Vannacci has taken favorable positions towards Russia and Vladimir Putin, developed during his time as a military attaché in Moscow and expressed in the book Il mondo al contrario.[41][42][43] He stated that he doesn't support the Russian invasion of Ukraine,[44] but that he would prefer to be governed by Putin rather than Volodymyr Zelensky, citing the popular support that Putin supposedly enjoys.[31][45] He has also claimed that he does not believe Putin is responsible for the death of Alexei Navalny, as there is no objective evidence.[31]
Private life
He is married to Camelia Mihailescu, of Romanian origin, and they have two daughters.[46]
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Italy 
Italian Army 
Divisional General 
5th Class / Knight, OMRI 
Commander, Legion of Merit 
