Dbarta24 Desk – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has officially made political history by becoming the longest-serving prime minister in post-World War II Italy, surpassing the previous record held by late former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Assuming office on October 22, 2022, Meloni’s administration achieved a continuous 1,413 days in power, offering a stark contrast to a nation historically defined by political instability and having seen 68 governments over the past eight decades.
The milestone was celebrated in the southern port city of Bari, drawing thousands of attendees under tight security precautions due to potential counter-protests.
Italian lawmaker Grazia Di Maggio highlighted the weight of the achievement, pointing out that as Italy’s first female prime minister hailing from right-wing politics, Meloni reached this position through hard-fought effort without shortcuts.
Early in her tenure, Meloni distanced her party, Brothers of Italy, from historical associations with Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime to broaden her political legitimacy.
Analyst Skepticism and Economic Challenges
Despite the government’s unprecedented longevity, political analysts caution against equating time in office with true political stability.
Paolo Carusi, a contemporary history professor at Roma Tre University, noted that the administration’s survival has been heavily aided by the 2018 electoral system, which secured an absolute parliamentary majority for the right-wing coalition, alongside tactical policy compromises on key campaign promises.
Critics also argue that political longevity has not translated into economic momentum. Piero Ignazi, a political science professor at the University of Bologna, signaled that the prolonged governance has yielded stagnation rather than progress.
Economic forecasts project Italy’s GDP growth to slow to 0.6% in 2026—among the lowest in the European Union—while public debt risks remain critically high.
Furthermore, the administration faces sharp opposition over its civil liberties stance, having introduced at least 52 new criminal offenses aimed at curbing protests and tightening public control.
International Recognition
The landmark milestone garnered international congratulations, notably from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, Modi congratulated his Italian counterpart, stating that the achievement reflects the trust the people of Italy place in her leadership.