Giorgia Meloni Makes History, Becomes Italy’s Longest-Serving PM Since World War II

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reached a political milestone few of her predecessors managed, with her government completing 1,413 consecutive days in office and becoming the longest-serving government in the history of the Italian Republic, apart from Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship.

Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party is marking the occasion with a rally in Bari in southern Italy, where thousands of supporters are expected to gather. Giorgia Meloni will address the rally from a stage overlooking the Adriatic Sea under the slogan, “The most stable government, a stronger Italy”.

The milestone is significant in a country known for political instability. Italian governments have lasted an average of about 14 months over the past eight

decades.

But while Giorgia Meloni has succeeded in delivering the stability that has eluded successive Italian governments, the political landscape she faces in the run-up to the next election is becoming more difficult.

Rising living costs, tensions within her coalition, disagreements over defence policy and growing competition from the nationalist right are testing a prime minister who came to power in October 2022 as a self-described political “underdog”.

Giorgia Meloni’s Rise In Europe

Giorgia Meloni initially faced scepticism in Brussels because of her roots in Italy’s post-fascist nationalist right but her government has largely avoided the confrontation with the European Union that some had predicted. Giorgia Meloni has become an influential figure among EU leaders, maintaining support for Ukraine while playing a prominent role in debates over migration and trade.

Carlo Fidanza, a senior Brothers of Italy lawmaker in Brussels, said the stability of Giorgia Meloni’s government had strengthened Italy’s position internationally.

“Stability brings with it international credibility and authority,” he said.

Giorgia Meloni can also point to several domestic gains. Unemployment fell to 5% this year, its lowest level since national records began in 2004. Her government has also kept Italy’s budget within EU limits, while arrivals of migrants by boat from North Africa have fallen sharply since 2023.

The longevity of her government has itself become a central part of Giorgia Meloni’s political pitch, particularly in a country where governments have frequently collapsed before completing their terms.

But Giorgia Meloni has struggled to deliver some of the major reforms promised when she came to power. In March, voters rejected her proposed judicial reform, marking the first major electoral defeat of her premiership.

Her coalition suffered another setback in July when lawmakers blocked a key element of the government’s proposed electoral law. The broader reform was later pushed through the lower house, but the episode exposed divisions within the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, Italy’s underlying economic problems remain. Productivity remains weak, wages have stagnated, the population is ageing and large numbers of young Italians continue to leave the country in search of opportunities abroad.

The EU-funded pandemic recovery programme that helped support growth during Giorgia Meloni’s first years in office has also largely been spent, leaving the government with less room to cushion households from higher prices and a tougher fiscal environment.

PM Modi Congratulates Giorgia Meloni

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Giorgia Meloni on the milestone, calling her a “friend” and saying it reflected the “trust and confidence of the Italian people in her leadership”.

“Her friendship has also been instrumental in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi said, adding that he looked forward to “continuing our close cooperation to build a prosperous future for the people of our countries”.