Meloni’s Record Tenure Tests Italy’s Political Stability

Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has become the longest-serving single government in Italy since the country became a republic after World War II. On Friday, it reached 1,413 days in office, surpassing the previous record for a continuous government held by Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi, however, remains Italy’s longest-serving prime minister overall, having spent nine years in office across several different governments. The milestone is significant in a country that has had 68 governments in 80 years, with administrations lasting an average of roughly 13 months. Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party plan to mark the occasion with a rally in Bari, in the southern Puglia region. Around 80 coaches are expected to bring supporters to the event, where Meloni will speak and Deputy Prime Ministers Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani will participate by video. The gathering is also expected to serve as an early campaign event ahead of Italy’s 2027 election. Government supporters point to economic and political achievements, including one million additional people in employment, unemployment below 6%, a €21 billion reduction in personal income taxes and a reported decline in migrant arrivals. Meloni also argues that Italy has gained greater international influence. Her nationalist approach has been popular with many supporters, including after she rejected Donald Trump’s claim that she had begged him for a photograph, saying, “Italy doesn’t beg.” Critics counter that major structural problems remain, including weak productivity, demographic decline, inefficiencies in healthcare, education and public administration, and the rising cost of living. Trade union leader Maurizio Landini said wages had not risen while fuel costs, job insecurity and pressure on healthcare had increased. Opposition groups accuse the government of promoting a “war and weapons economy,” building a “police state” and encouraging hostility toward migrants. At the same time, some figures on the far right believe Meloni has become too moderate. Retired general Roberto Vannacci and his party have reportedly gained support by taking harder-line positions on immigration and national identity.

France 24 reports that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is marking a major political milestone: her government has become the longest-lasting administration in Italy’s postwar history. The achievement is particularly significant because Italy has long been associated with political instability and frequent changes of government. Meloni’s hard-right coalition has therefore demonstrated an unusual degree of durability since taking office. The report presents the longevity record as an important political success for Meloni, who is Italy’s first female prime minister. However, it also emphasizes that the milestone does not eliminate the substantial challenges facing her government. With elections scheduled for next year, Meloni will need to maintain the coalition’s cohesion and demonstrate that its stability can translate into continued political support. The article offers limited detail about the government’s specific policies or the nature of the challenges ahead. Instead, it focuses on the symbolic and historical importance of the record, placing Meloni’s achievement in the broader context of Italy’s postwar political history. The accompanying report, produced by France 24’s Italy correspondent Seema Gupta, suggests that the government’s endurance is notable in a country where administrations have traditionally struggled to remain in power for long periods. Overall, the coverage is factual and restrained. It acknowledges the significance of Meloni’s accomplishment without presenting it as an unqualified victory, balancing the celebratory milestone against the political uncertainty associated with the approaching election. The report’s central message is that longevity itself represents a considerable achievement for an Italian government, but that Meloni’s longer-term success will depend on how effectively she addresses the remaining challenges and preserves her coalition’s position.

The France 24 article examines why Giorgia Meloni remains politically strong in Italy, arguing that her influence is less a result of transformative domestic policies than of her party’s dominant position within the governing coalition. In an interview with Dr. Giulia Sandri, an associate researcher at the Free University of Brussels, presenter William Hilderbrandt discusses the significance of Meloni’s unusually long tenure in office. According to Sandri, four years of governmental stability have given Meloni an advantage that is historically uncommon in Italian politics. Her continuity in office has enabled her to build diplomatic relationships, improve Italy’s position within Europe and increase Rome’s visibility internationally. These achievements have contributed substantially to her image as a successful and credible leader. However, the article contrasts Meloni’s international profile with a less decisive domestic record. Italy has seen some improvements in employment and fiscal credibility, but these gains have been accompanied by weak economic growth, stagnant wages and declining purchasing power. The government also continues to face longstanding structural difficulties in healthcare, education, demographic trends and public administration. The article therefore presents Meloni’s success as a product of political durability, coalition dominance and international positioning rather than clear evidence of broad domestic transformation. It does not portray her government as an outright failure, but emphasizes the gap between its political strength and the limited progress experienced in several key areas of Italian life. Overall, the discussion offers an analytical assessment of how stability and diplomatic visibility can reinforce a leader’s standing even when economic and social challenges remain unresolved.