Meloni hails stability as her government sets Italian record

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has marked a historic milestone, her administration becoming the longest-serving single government in the country's republican era. Speaking at a rally in Bari, she celebrated reaching 1,414 consecutive days in office, surpassing the previous record of 1,412 days set by Silvio Berlusconi's second government between 2001 and 2005.

Meloni framed the achievement as evidence of her coalition's strength, arguing that political continuity has been a reform in itself. "Stability is our first great reform," she told supporters, adding that it has allowed Italy to pursue economic and foreign policy goals that would have been difficult under the short-lived governments that have often characterised postwar Italian politics.

The Prime Minister credited her tenure with boosting employment, supporting families, and restoring Italy's credibility on the international stage. She noted that Italy was once seen as the "sick of Europe," with interlocutors questioning how long any government would last. Now, she argued, Italy sits at the table as a stable partner.

Meloni also highlighted policy shifts on migration and energy, pointing to European measures that now reflect positions her government had previously championed, such as stricter asylum procedures and agreements with countries of origin. She also mentioned the reopening of a path toward nuclear power after a 40-year pause.

Supporters point to over a million additional jobs and tighter public finances as proof of progress. Critics, however, argue that long-standing issues like weak productivity growth and low salaries remain unresolved.

The record caps a transformation for Meloni, who has moved from an outsider to an establishment figure since becoming Italy's first female prime minister in 2022, maintaining support for Ukraine and working within European institutions. While her government now holds the single-term record, Berlusconi remains Italy's longest-serving postwar premier when his combined time in office is counted.