Giorgia Meloni Sets Record for Italy's Longest Running Government
7 sources across 7 countries
Who reported this
- Politico Europe
- Folha de S.Paulo
- France 24
- Frankfurter Allgemeine
- Corriere della Sera
- El Pais
- Financial Times
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- Centre-right
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has become the longest serving head of government in the history of the Italian Republic. On Friday, September 4, her administration reached 1,413 days in power, surpassing the previous record of 1,412 days held by Silvio Berlusconi's second cabinet. To mark the occasion, Meloni's party, Brothers of Italy, organized a celebration in the southern port city of Bari, where approximately 10,000 supporters were expected to attend.
Analysts attribute this stability to a clear hierarchy within the right wing coalition and Meloni's transition from an opposition candidate to a pragmatic leader. She has maintained a stable alliance with the Lega and Forza Italia, despite the death of Silvio Berlusconi and internal tensions within those partner parties. Her approach has included cooperation with the European Union on migration and continued support for Ukraine through NATO and EU partnerships.
Perspectives on the government's legacy vary by political lean. Center and center right sources frame the record as a sign of stability and pragmatic governance that defied early predictions of a short tenure. In contrast, center left sources argue that stability is one of the few achievements the government can claim, citing a lack of concrete results regarding economic growth and purchasing power. Some reports also highlight a lack of progress on civil and social rights, noting Italy's low ranking in European measures of LGBTQIA+ rights.
Looking toward the 2027 general elections, the government faces several challenges. These include stagnating real wages, high energy costs, and the rise of new far right forces. While the current coalition remains compact due to the risk of a center left victory, some observers suggest that the opposition may eventually unite in a broad coalition to challenge Meloni's dominance.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- Dismissed the record as a hollow achievement, emphasizing economic failures and social regressions.
- Centre
- Framed the event as a milestone of stability and a strategic asset for future elections.
- Centre-right
- Highlighted Meloni's evolution from populism to pragmatism and her ability to manage coalition rivals.
Sources
- Centre-right Corriere della Sera: Meloni Government, the longevity record and the need to relaunch to avoid attrition
- Centre-left El Pais: The Meloni Government is already the longest running in Italy, but it has little else to celebrate
- Centre Financial Times: Giorgia Meloni celebrates Italy’s longest-serving government since 1945
- Centre Folha de S.Paulo: Giorgia Meloni government becomes the longest lasting of republican Italy
- Centre France 24: In Italy, Giorgia Meloni breaks a longevity record and launches her campaign for 2027
- Centre-right Frankfurter Allgemeine: Giorgia Meloni: From "hot" populism to "lukewarm" pragmatism
- Centre Politico Europe: Meloni beats Berlusconi’s record as prime minister. Here’s what she wants to do next.
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.