Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government on Friday became the longest-running government since the Italian Republic was established 80 years ago. Meloni’s government, the most right-wing to have governed Italy since World War II, has been in power for 1,413 days. That’s a day longer than billionaire media mogul Silvio Berlusconi, who still holds the record for longest serving as prime minister combined, with nine years in office, albeit under different governments. Since Italy became a republic after the end of the war, it has had 68 governments in 80 years, and the governments have lasted about 13 months on average. How is Meloni celebrating his record-breaking tenure? Meloni and his far-right Brothers of Italy (Fdl) party are planning a celebration on Friday in the port city of Bari, in the southern region of Puglia. Some 80 coaches will transport fans there and Meloni will give a speech to attendees in the evening. Deputy Prime Ministers Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani will also appear by videoconference. The event is effectively an opportunity to campaign for the 2027 Italian elections. What do the Meloni government and its supporters say? Meloni’s government has a million more people employed in its four years in power, unemployment below 6% and a 21 billion euro ($24 billion) reduction in personal income taxes. They are also especially proud of what they say is a sharp decline in immigrant arrivals. The prime minister, whose party has neo-fascist roots, also says Italy’s influence on the world stage has increased. Meloni’s nationalist streak was celebrated at home on more than one occasion. A notable example was when US President Donald Trump, with whom the Italian leader had initially and unusually enjoyed a cordial relationship, said she had begged him to take her photo. “Italy doesn’t beg,” Meloni said of Trump’s statement, to the satisfaction of many Italians. Trump-Meloni feud escalates To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What are Meloni’s critics saying? However, critics of Italy’s first female prime minister and its longest-serving government argue that despite the numbers, the country’s persistent problems persist. They list weak productivity, demographic decline and long-standing inefficiencies in healthcare, education and public administration. The rising cost of living is also a major criticism. “Have salaries increased? No. Gasoline costs more, job insecurity has increased, people are retiring less and the health system works less efficiently,” said Maurizio Landini, head of the CGIL union, before the celebrations. Italian unions go on strike to protest new budget priorities. To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. In parallel with the Meloni party in Bari, his opponents are also planning a city-wide meeting. Organizers accuse his government of creating a “war and weapons economy” and a “police state,” in addition to fueling a climate of hatred against immigrants. Meanwhile, others think the prime minister has strayed from her election campaign and become too moderate, including a potential rival in the next election. Retired Army Gen. Roberto Vannacci, whose party is more far-right than Meloni’s, is known for his hardline positions on immigration and national identity. Polls show his party has outperformed both the anti-immigrant League and the right-wing Forza Italia parties, both members of Meloni’s ruling coalition. Italy: Restrict the right to protest To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Natalie Muller If you trust our team for trustworthy reporting, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google by clicking here and pressing the “star” or “preferred” button. so you always see our verified news first.
