MELONI CELEBRATES AS GOVERNMENT BECOMES ITALY’S LONGEST-SERVING

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has celebrated a historic milestone after her government became the longest-serving administration in the history of the Italian Republic.

Meloni’s government reached 1,413 days in office, surpassing the previous record of 1,412 days held by Silvio Berlusconi’s second administration, which governed from 2001 to 2005.

In a post on X on Friday, Meloni described the achievement as a moment of gratitude and responsibility, stressing that political stability was important for effective national planning and governance.

She said her government had worked to increase employment, reduce unemployment, support families and businesses, strengthen security, manage public finances and improve Italy’s position internationally.

Meloni attributed the government’s longevity to the unity of her centre-right coalition, rather than the efforts of any individual. She said the coalition had remained together around a shared vision for Italy.

The prime minister also noted that the three longest-serving governments in Italy’s republican history were now all centre-right administrations, arguing that lasting political alliances required shared values, goals and a common national vision.

Meloni credited Italian voters who supported the coalition in the 2022 election, saying her government had never regarded their support as a “blank check.”

She said Italians would next year have the opportunity to assess the government’s record and decide whether it deserved to continue in office.

Meloni is expected to meet supporters of her Fratelli d’Italia party in Bari, where she plans to reflect on the government’s achievements and discuss its future plans.

Meanwhile, British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch congratulated Meloni, describing her achievement as remarkable and calling the Italian prime minister a “real inspiration.”

Badenoch said Meloni had demonstrated what conviction, clarity and the courage to stand by one’s principles could achieve, noting that she had been underestimated by critics when she entered the political scene.