Giorgia Meloni Breaks Italy’s Record for Longest-Serving Government

Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has now lasted longer than any other Italian cabinet since the country’s republic was founded in 1946. The government reached 1,413 consecutive days in office on Friday, surpassing the previous record held by Silvio Berlusconi’s second administration, which lasted 1,412 days from 2001 to 2005.

Meloni, who also leads the Brothers of Italy party, became Italy’s first woman prime minister when she was sworn in on Oct. 22, 2022. Her coalition, formed by three right-wing and conservative parties, has remained in power for almost four years.

The record applies to the uninterrupted tenure of a single cabinet. Berlusconi still ranks first when the time served by multiple governments under the same prime minister is combined, with more than nine years in office. Meloni currently ranks seventh on that broader list.

Italy has long been marked by frequent changes of government. Since the republic’s creation, the country has had 68 administrations, which lasted an average of about 13 months. Meloni’s supporters are presenting the length of her government as a major achievement, and a party rally is planned in the southern port city of Bari, where she is expected to give a speech.

Her critics say she has turned staying in office into a political objective and complain of stagnation. The newspaper La Repubblica recently listed what it called government “flops,” including tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump and the failure of a referendum on a judicial reform project promoted by the government. Pressure is also growing from further right, with former general Roberto Vannacci and his Futuro Nazionale party openly challenging the government. The party has 7 percent support in opinion polls and could become a kingmaker in next year’s election.