Longest-Lasting

Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government on Friday becomes the longest-lasting in Italy's postwar history, a notable record that belies considerable challenges ahead of elections next year. In a country once a byword for political instability, Italy's first woman leader will have been in charge of the same administration for 1,413 days, one more than the late Silvio Berlusconi managed during one of his four stints in office.

"It is certainly a point of pride," Marco Osnato, a prominent lawmaker with Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, told AFP. The record is likely to boost the prime minister's image as Italy, which has had almost 70 governments over the past 80 years, gears up for a national vote in 2027.

0.6 percent growth

Critics say results have fallen short of expectations. The government has failed to deliver on three flagship coalition pledges: justice reform, strengthened prime ministerial powers, and increased regional autonomy. "This stability was not capitalised upon," said Chiara Braga, the leader of the centre-left opposition Democratic Party's parliamentary group. "It did not lead to any significant improvement in people's living standards or business competitiveness."

Italy's economy is forecast to grow a lacklustre 0.6 percent in 2026, while real wages have been virtually stagnant since the early 1990s. Supporters counter that the administration has cut taxes, brought fiscal discipline, and won Italy a more prominent role on the global stage. "When it comes to foreign policy, Italy has never been so central, particularly in Europe," Osnato said.