King's College London

A new study by Dr Laura Montecchio, of King’s College London, and Dr Marianna Griffini, of Northeastern University, outlines how these prominent female leaders are blending traditionally masculine toughness with conventionally feminine traits.

According to the research, which involved an in-depth analysis of public posts on social media platforms used by Meloni and Le Pen, as well as speeches and manifestos, the strongwoman archetype combines the assertiveness and hardline hierarchies typical of populist strongmen with maternalism, compassion, and a proclaimed support for women's rights.

This fusion allows them to soften their parties' historical images while retaining radical policy agendas.

Despite sharing this label, the two leaders employ distinctly different strategies. Italy's Prime Minister, Meloni, frequently projects a nurturing public persona while firmly defending the traditional heterosexual family. Her approach balances advocacy for working mothers with restrictive stances on LGBTQ+ rights, such as opposing same-sex adoption, and a heavy focus on abortion prevention.

In contrast, Le Pen focuses less on prescriptive motherhood and more on a secular defence of women's liberties. However, the researchers argue that Le Pen weaponises this feminist rhetoric to advance a nativist, anti-immigration platform. Through a tactic termed "femonationalism," Le Pen frames Islam as a fundamental threat to women's equality, justifying stringent anti-Islamist policies under the guise of female protection.

The researchers said: “Our findings lead us to advance the notion of strongwomen as a conceptual tool enriching the scholarly understanding of the complex relationship between women’s political leadership and their stance on gender-related matters.”