2 days ago
Meloni’s Record Italian Government Faces an Uncertain Political Future
Italy has often changed governments quickly, but Giorgia Meloni’s government has lasted almost four years.
It is about to pass the previous record for the longest single government since World War Two.
Meloni’s supporters say her government controlled spending, increased employment and reduced irregular migration.
Critics say she avoided making big changes to public services and the economy.
Her government also lost a referendum on a major judicial reform.
Some of her coalition partners have become less popular.
A new far-right party led by Roberto Vannacci is attracting voters.
This could make the next election harder to predict and make it more difficult to form a stable government.
Giorgia Meloni is poised to lead Italy’s longest-lasting government since World War Two.
Supporters credit the coalition with budget discipline, stronger employment and reduced irregular migration.
Analysts say Meloni avoided major reforms, including changes to public administration, health care and education.
A referendum defeat and weakened coalition allies have challenged the government’s previous aura of invincibility.
The rise of Roberto Vannacci’s far-right party could make the 2027 election and the next government less stable.
- Who
- Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition, its allies and opponents, including Roberto Vannacci’s emerging far-right party.
- What
- Meloni’s government is nearing Italy’s postwar longevity record, but polls suggest the next government may be more fragmented.
- Where
- Italy.
- When
- The analysis was published on August 31; Meloni planned a milestone rally for Friday, September 4, and parliamentary elections are expected in 2027.
- Why
- The government has benefited from coalition continuity, while disagreements among opposition parties and the emergence of Vannacci’s party are reshaping the next election.
Government Supporters and Reform Critics
Coalition Supporters and Government Critics
Economic record
Government Supporters and Reform Critics
Coalition allies say the government controlled deficits and debt, increased employment and restored confidence in Italy’s public finances.
Coalition Supporters and Government Critics
Analysts say fiscal responsibility improved, but little progress was made on economic growth or structural reforms.
Government stability
Government Supporters and Reform Critics
Supporters present nearly four years of uninterrupted rule as proof that the coalition has brought valuable stability to Italy.
Coalition Supporters and Government Critics
Critics argue Meloni stayed in power partly by avoiding major changes, and warn that the next election could produce a splintered parliament.
Electoral law
Government Supporters and Reform Critics
Meloni says a majority bonus for blocs exceeding 42% would provide stability regardless of which side wins.
Coalition Supporters and Government Critics
Critics say the proposed change is designed to improve the conservative bloc’s chances of remaining in power.
Key facts
- Previous longevity record
- Silvio Berlusconi’s government lasted 1,412 consecutive days in 2005.
- Meloni’s time in office
- She became prime minister in October 2022 and was approaching four years in power.
- Employment
- The government said 1.2 million workers had been added to the jobs market and unemployment had fallen below 6%.
- Irregular migration
- New arrivals fell to 66,316 last year from 157,651 in 2023, according to the article.
- Coalition polling
- A BiDiMedia poll published August 26 put Meloni’s coalition partners at 38.5%.
- Electoral threshold
- The proposed electoral system would give a majority bonus to any bloc winning more than 42% of the vote.
- Vannacci’s support
- The same poll put support for Roberto Vannacci at 8%.
Quotes
Roberto D’Alimonte
Professor of Italian politics at Rome’s Luiss university
“In terms of fiscal responsibility, I think the government has done a decent job. In terms of promoting growth and reforming the economy, not much has been done”
theprint.in
“There is a genuine risk that we could return to the worst kind of a splintered parliament next time around”
theprint.in
Sources
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