Meloni Hails Stability as Her Government Sets Postwar Record

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni celebrated a historic milestone on Friday, addressing supporters in Bari to mark her government's 1,414th consecutive day in office. That surpasses the previous record of 1,412 days set by Silvio Berlusconi's second administration (2001–2005), making her coalition the longest-serving single government in Italy's republican era.

Meloni framed the longevity as proof of her right-wing coalition's strength, saying, "Stability is our first great reform." She argued that political continuity allowed her government to pursue economic and foreign policy goals that would have been difficult under Italy's traditionally short-lived administrations. She credited her team with boosting employment, supporting families and businesses, managing public finances, and restoring Italy's credibility abroad.

In a personal moment, Meloni reflected on the difficulties of governing, saying, "There were days when it felt like I was swimming through glue, but I never gave up and I do not intend to start now." The crowd responded with chants of "Giorgia, Giorgia."

The rally highlighted a key argument Meloni is expected to use ahead of the 2027 election: that stability has delivered results. Vera Capperucci, a political history professor at LUISS University in Rome, called the event a "necessary act," noting that Meloni's foreign policy has been a defining feature. "She has built credibility with European partners while maintaining Italy's Atlantic alliances," Capperucci said, defying early concerns of a confrontational stance toward Brussels.

Since becoming Italy's first female prime minister in 2022, Meloni has transitioned from outsider to establishment figure. Despite her party's neo-fascist roots, she has supported Ukraine, worked within EU institutions, and cultivated close ties with Western allies. Supporters point to over a million new jobs, lower unemployment, tighter public finances, and fewer migrant arrivals as evidence of progress.

Critics, however, argue that long-standing issues like weak productivity, low salaries, and inefficient public services remain unresolved. Opposition leaders also accuse her coalition of cutting funds for health and education.

For many supporters in Bari, the record itself was a victory. Marco Macrì, a 34-year-old Forza Italia supporter, said Meloni has united the center-right after Berlusconi's death: "Now, with Giorgia, we are all united under one roof... with different symbols but part of one family."

While Meloni's government now holds the record for a single continuous term, Berlusconi remains Italy's longest-serving postwar prime minister when combining his multiple governments. The political question now shifts from survival to whether voters believe Meloni has done enough to earn another mandate.