Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni marked a significant milestone for her government, celebrating its longevity during a rally with supporters in Bari. Her administration has become the longest-serving single government in Italy’s republican era, surpassing the previous record set by Silvio Berlusconi's second government.
Meloni, speaking to supporters, presented the government's sustained tenure as a testament to the strength and unity of her right-wing coalition. "Stability is our first great reform," she stated, emphasizing that political continuity has allowed her administration to pursue key economic and foreign policy objectives, which is often challenging in Italy's historically less stable political landscape.
Her government has been credited by supporters with fostering employment growth, providing support for families and businesses, managing public finances effectively, and restoring Italy's international credibility. Meloni reflected on the governing challenges, comparing them to "swimming through glue" but asserting her determination to persevere.
The rally also served to preview a central argument Meloni is expected to advance ahead of the 2027 elections: that her government's stability has yielded tangible results and enhanced its standing on the global stage. Vera Capperucci, a professor at Rome's LUISS University, described the event as a "necessary act," noting that foreign policy has been a defining characteristic of the administration. Capperucci observed that Meloni has built credibility with European partners and maintained Italy's Atlantic alliances, contrary to initial concerns about a more confrontational approach towards Brussels.
Meloni's political journey from an outsider to an establishment figure, particularly since becoming Italy's first female prime minister in 2022, has been notable. Despite initial caution from some European allies and financial markets due to her party's historical roots, she has upheld support for Ukraine, engaged constructively within European institutions, and cultivated strong ties with Western allies.
The government's approach to migration was also a focal point, with Meloni defending her administration's policies, including the controversial migration centers in Albania. She framed these measures, such as fighting human traffickers, stricter asylum procedures, and agreements with countries of origin, as effective actions that were once labeled as extremist by opponents. "They called us extremists for years and then they copied everything," she remarked.
Supporters point to achievements such as over a million new jobs, reduced unemployment, improved public finances, and a decrease in migrant arrivals as evidence of the benefits of political continuity. However, critics argue that Italy's persistent issues, including sluggish productivity growth, low wages, and public service inefficiencies, remain largely unaddressed. Opposition leaders contend that Meloni's government has not yet devised concrete strategies for long-term economic growth beyond fiscal management and have accused the coalition of cutting resources for health and education services.
The durability of Meloni's coalition is a rarity in postwar Italy, where governments frequently dissolve before completing their terms. While Meloni now leads the longest-serving single government in the republican era, Silvio Berlusconi remains Italy's longest-serving postwar prime minister when considering combined terms across multiple governments. The current focus is shifting from the government's survival to whether voters perceive its performance as warranting another term.