Meloni's Government Becomes Italy's Longest-Serving Postwar Administration

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni marked a historic milestone on Friday as her right-wing coalition became the longest-serving government in the country's postwar history, surpassing the previous record set by Silvio Berlusconi in 2005. The administration, in power since October 2022, has now exceeded 1,400 days in office.

Speaking at an event in the southern city of Bari, Meloni framed the longevity of her government as a significant achievement in a nation that has seen 68 governments in 80 years. "Stability is the first major reform we have delivered to this nation," she said, adding that Italy is no longer viewed within the European Union as "a case to monitor."

Meloni argued that this political stability has reassured financial markets about Italy's handling of its public finances and substantial debt, helping to soften borrowing costs on government bonds. "Having the public accounts in order means fewer constraints," she said, emphasizing that fiscal discipline allows the government to decide its own spending priorities.

While analysts broadly acknowledge that restoring confidence in Italy's finances has been a key achievement, critics contend that little progress has been made on structural reforms. The government's plans to strengthen the prime minister's powers have stalled, and a government-backed referendum on judicial reform was rejected by voters earlier this year.

Opposition leaders were quick to dismiss the milestone. Giuseppe Conte, former prime minister and leader of the 5-Star Movement, called the four years "inactivity and inertia," pointing to Italy's persistently sluggish economic growth. A counter-demonstration was staged in Bari against the rally organized by Meloni's Brothers of Italy party.

With elections due next year, Meloni is expected to lead her coalition into the campaign. Opinion polls show the centre-left bloc holding a narrow lead, while Meloni's alliance faces erosion from a far-right movement, Futuro Nazionale, which has gained traction on issues of immigration, security, and cultural change.