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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

After standing up to Trump, Italy's ‘fierce’ PM faces another big test

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Giorgia Meloni has become Italy's longest-serving prime minister since World War II, surpassing Silvio Berlusconi's 1,412-day record.
  • Analysts attribute her durability to control over her coalition, rising support for her party and a fragmented opposition.
  • Meloni has strengthened Italy's profile in the EU and NATO and reduced migrant arrivals, but critics point to weak progress on economic stagnation, wages, unemployment and delayed policy initiatives.

Giorgia Meloni was expected by critics to last only a few months when she became Italy's first female prime minister in October 2022. Instead, she has led her three-party coalition beyond the 1,412-day record set by Silvio Berlusconi's second administration, becoming Italy's longest-serving prime minister since World War II.

Her staying power has stood out in a country known for short-lived governments and unstable coalitions. Manuela Moschella, a political science professor at the University of Bologna, said Meloni had managed to “tame her coalition partners” while growing support for herself and her Brothers of Italy party. She also credited the weakness of the opposition, which she said remained fragmented and lacked a common narrative, leader or stable program.

tame her coalition partners

· Manuela MoschellaThe University of Bologna professor identified Meloni's control over her coalition as one reason for her longevity.

“I also think that she has been a very fierce prime minister,” Moschella said. “She has never backed down from a battle.” That quality has been visible on the international stage. Meloni built a close relationship with US President Donald Trump, then defended herself and Italy against his tariffs and criticism as the relationship deteriorated.

I also think that she has been a very fierce prime minister. She has never backed down from a battle.

· Manuela MoschellaMoschella described Meloni's political style.

At home, however, the record is less settled. Meloni came to power promising tougher immigration controls, a stronger role for Italy in Europe, an emphasis on family values and tax cuts. Moschella said the government had enhanced Italy's role in the European Union and NATO, but described its domestic policy record as “shaky, to say the least.”

She said the government had not adequately addressed long-standing problems including economic stagnation, stagnant salaries and unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. A proposed judicial overhaul failed after voters rejected it in a referendum, while plans for immigration detention centres in Albania have been delayed by legal challenges. The coalition has nevertheless reduced new migrant arrivals, from 157,651 in 2023 to 66,316 last year. Meloni now faces another test from Italy's far right.

shaky, to say the least

· Manuela MoschellaShe assessed Meloni's domestic policy record.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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