On Friday, over 10,000 supporters will gather on a quay in the southern Italian port city of Bari to celebrate a milestone that once seemed improbable in Italy’s political landscape: 1,413 consecutive days in office for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, surpassing the previous record set by Silvio Berlusconi’s administration and becoming the longest-lasting government in postwar Italian history.
The event, organized by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, will take place at Bari’s port, where the prime minister will be joined by ministers, lawmakers, and enthusiastic supporters to commemorate the government’s unprecedented longevity.
In a country that has witnessed 68 governments in the 80 years since World War II, this record reflects not only Italy’s political history but also the resilience and leadership of Prime Minister Meloni. Rising to power as Italy’s first female leader, Meloni’s political journey began in the 1990s with the post-fascist Italian Social Movement’s youth movement.
Known for her resolute and defiant persona, Meloni attributes her drive to resistance, stating that a simple “No” serves as a powerful motivator. Her distinctive political communication style, encapsulated in the famous rallying cry “I am Giorgia, I am a woman, I am a mother, I am Italian, I am Christian,” has garnered widespread attention, even inspiring a dance remix.
Despite her combative image, Meloni’s governing approach leans more towards caution than confrontation. Unlike many male leaders in Italian politics who faced downfall due to overreach, Meloni has prioritized strategic restraint, a quality that has fortified her political longevity.
Prior to assuming office, Meloni maintained her party’s position as an outlier by staying out of Mario Draghi’s coalition government in 2021. Following the collapse of Draghi’s government in 2022, Meloni seized power, leading a right-wing coalition that secured a parliamentary majority. Despite her initial anti-Brussels stance, Meloni has aligned with the European Union’s fiscal regulations and upheld support for Ukraine while toning down earlier anti-euro rhetoric.
Her adept management of the coalition with Matteo Salvini’s League and Antonio Tajani’s Forza Italia, coupled with a blend of fiery political identity and pragmatic governance, has defied expectations. Meloni’s enduring popularity, as indicated by positive polling results for Brothers of Italy, underscores her credibility among voters.
While Meloni’s government has made strides in areas such as migration policy and foreign relations, some critics argue that a focus on stability has hindered structural reforms essential for economic growth. Despite implementing fiscal discipline, Meloni has been urged to address issues like low productivity, education spending, and gender equality in the workforce.
As Italy approaches upcoming elections, Meloni faces new challenges from the right, exemplified by Roberto Vannacci’s emergence as a conservative rival highlighting differing stances on key social issues. With a record-breaking tenure in office, Meloni’s ability to navigate political challenges and translate stability into tangible change will be scrutinized by voters in the upcoming polls.
