Liberals and fascists, name a more iconic duo.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has spent a year courting right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a potential partner on the European stage.

From the outside, it was an unlikely friendship.

"Unlikely" they said, ignoring history.

Meloni went from a "scary far right figure" to "potential kingmaker" in Europe. Le Pen was called a fascist, and now she is being taken seriously. Just lberal mainstream media slowly legitimising and rehabilitating yesterday's "far right extremists". No wonder the far right is becoming more and more popular in Europe.