Reports are saying she could become Italy’s first female leader – and its first far-right one since Mussolini. Giorgia Meloni has been called a fascist, an extremist and – to an extent – a de facto heir to 20th century dictator Benito Mussolini, they say.

Meloni appears to well be on her way to becoming Italy’s next prime minister. She is favored by many voters weary of the country’s fractious politics and resigned to trying someone new. New, and highly controversial.

Italy, which has seen seven governments in 11 years, holds parliamentary elections on Sunday. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has been leading pre-election polls. If it prevails, she will become the nation’s first far-right leader since Mussolini – and its first female prime minister.