I am working on a "geopolitical" novel in which Italy, Greece, and Turkey combine to form a "New Roman Republic." (Spain joins later.) These are self-consciously "Mediterranean" countries tht define themselves in opposition to a "Nordic" bloc.
Since World War II, has any major politician or political thinker in any of the above four countries called for a "New Rome" consisting of Italy plus at least one of the remaining three countries, but NOT including countries such as Germany and other "northern" countries that were not part of the original Rome.
Some definitions:
1) A "major politician" means a member of a national legislature, or the head of an entity (mayor of a city, governor of a province, leader of a political party) that is represented by at least one seat in a national legislature.
2) A "major political thinker" refers a university professor or higher.