Giorgia Meloni is set to break the record for Italy’s longest-lasting government since World War Two, a milestone that highlights the country’s relative stability despite a history of volatility. The leader of the Brothers of Italy party is poised to eclipse the 1,412 consecutive days held by Silvio Berlusconi in 2005, a figure that now looks increasingly fragile as Italy approaches the 2027 parliamentary elections. Meloni’s tenure began in October 2022, and she plans to mark the achievement with a rally on September 4.
Italy has cycled through 68 governments over 80 years, but the current administration has endured while France and Britain have experienced rapid leadership turnover due to global conflicts. Coalition allies credit the government’s endurance to a strategy of pragmatism over populist rhetoric. Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli pointed to four years of uninterrupted rule as a success story.
“The record figures on employment and unemployment are indisputable,” he told Reuters. The administration has added 1.2 million workers to the jobs market, pushing unemployment below 6%. Analysts argue that restoring confidence in Italy’s shaky public finances has been the strongest achievement. Lorenzo Codogno, a former Treasury chief economist, said the cabinet curtailed costly past policies like the “Superbonus” home renovation scheme.
“In terms of fiscal responsibility, I think the government has done a decent job,” Codogno said. However, he noted that little effort was made to reform inefficient public administration or the health service. This reluctance to shake up the status quo has allowed Meloni to remain in power without upsetting voters, a tactic that has proven effective but may limit long-term structural change.
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A shifting political setting
Despite these economic indicators, the path forward looks increasingly complex. Opinion polls suggest the 2027 elections could bring a fragmented parliament, threatening the stability Meloni has built. Roberto D’Alimonte, a professor of Italian politics at Luiss University, warned of a return to a splintered legislature.
The political environment has evolved since Meloni took office. A new far-right party led by ex-general Roberto Vannacci has surged to 8% support by tapping into anxieties over immigration and security. This emergence challenges the traditional conservative bloc. A BiDiMedia poll published on August 26 showed the current coalition partners hovering at just 38.5%, dangerously close to the 42% threshold required under the government’s proposed electoral law changes.
Legislative changes are currently in the works to introduce a majority bonus for any bloc winning over 42% of the vote, a move Meloni says is aimed at stability. Critics argue it strengthens the conservative camp. The government faces a narrow path to maintaining its grip. The opposition is disunited, while the rise of Vannacci threatens to turn a disciplined alliance into a fractious one. This new reality suggests that the record Meloni is about to break may be harder to defend in the years to come. Such instability often forces leaders to make difficult choices regarding security and governance.
