Blurb: She is poised to lead Italy’s longest-lasting govt since World War II surpassing the record 1,412 days set by Silvio Berlusconi.
Rome
Giorgia Meloni is poised to make political history as Italy’s longest-serving consecutive prime minister since World War II.
Meloni, who came to power in October 2022, has outlasted Italy’s long tradition of unstable governments by maintaining a durable coalition and moderating some of her earlier populist positions in favour of pragmatic governance. She plans a rally on September 4 to mark the milestone and present the government’s longevity as a crowning political achievement.
Italy has gone through 68 governments in 80 years, yet its current administration has proved more resilient during a period of conflict than governments in France and Britain. France has had five prime ministers since autumn 2022, while Britain has gone through four.
However, Meloni’s political stability may face a tougher test after the 2027 parliamentary elections. Opinion polls point towards a more fragmented parliament, raising concerns that Italy could return to coalition instability.
Analysts say one of Meloni’s strongest achievements has been restoring investor confidence in Italy’s public finances. Her government has maintained budget discipline and moved away from costly policies such as the Superbonus home renovation scheme.
Coalition officials point to employment gains, saying 1.2 million workers have been added to the labour market and unemployment has fallen below 6%.
Still, economists argue that the government’s record on economic growth and reform is weaker. Former Treasury chief economist Lorenzo Codogno said fiscal responsibility had improved, but little progress had been made on promoting growth and reforming the economy.
