Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is on course to lead the country’s longest-lasting government since World War Two, surpassing the record of 1,412 consecutive days previously set by Silvio Berlusconi in 2005.
Meloni, who took office in October 2022, is expected to mark the milestone with a rally on Friday, September 4, presenting the stability of her governing coalition as one of its major achievements.
Italy has long been known for political instability, cycling through 68 governments over the past 80 years. Under Meloni, however, the country has experienced an unusually long period of government continuity at a time when several other major European countries have faced repeated political changes.
Despite the milestone, political analysts warn that the 2027 parliamentary elections could produce a more fragmented political landscape and potentially bring renewed instability.
Silvio Berlusconi will still retain the distinction of being Italy’s longest-serving prime minister overall, having spent around nine years in office across four separate terms between 1994 and 2011.
One of the Meloni government’s most frequently cited achievements has been its handling of Italy’s public finances. Her coalition says it has maintained tighter control over deficits and debt while employment has increased by around 1.2 million workers and unemployment has fallen below 6%.
Analysts have also credited the government with strengthening investor confidence by maintaining budget discipline and limiting costly policies inherited from previous administrations, including the “Superbonus” home renovation programme.
However, critics argue that progress has been much more limited when it comes to economic growth and structural reforms.
Major changes to public administration, healthcare and education have remained limited, while several institutional reforms promoted by the government, including proposals to strengthen the powers of the prime minister, have struggled to advance.
Some political observers argue that Meloni’s ability to maintain her coalition for nearly four years has also been helped by avoiding major changes that could have created significant political opposition or alienated voters.
As Meloni prepares to surpass the post-war record for a single uninterrupted government, attention is increasingly turning toward the 2027 elections and whether Italy’s current period of political stability can continue.
/Demantim News/
