Politics & Governance
Giorgia Meloni hails record as Italy PM before 2027 vote
Giorgia Meloni hailed her government's stability at a rally in Bari on Friday after becoming Italy's longest-serving postwar prime minister, using the milestone to look toward elections due in 2027.
Meloni became Italy's first woman prime minister on October 22, 2022. Her administration has now lasted 1,413 days, one day longer than Silvio Berlusconi's longest single stint as prime minister.
“Stability has been a shield thanks to which we have been able to protect this country,” Meloni told thousands of supporters at the rally organised by her Brothers of Italy party in the southern port city. She said Italy was no longer “the sick man of Europe”.
Meloni also said EU countries that had treated her government as “extremists” on immigration were now “copying” Italian policies. She acknowledged that on some issues “the answers are not coming as quickly as they should”.
The event functioned as an election-style rally before a national vote due by the end of 2027. Meloni's coalition includes the League and Forza Italia and has passed about 300 laws and decrees, many dealing with security issues.
Supporters at the rally praised her record, while critics held an anti-government demonstration in Bari amid heavy security. Maurizio Landini, head of the CGIL trade union, said wages had not risen, petrol cost more, job insecurity had increased and healthcare was working less effectively.
Brothers of Italy says its migration policies have cut migrant arrivals by 80 percent. Critics say Italy's political stability has not produced stronger growth or better living standards.
Update
Giorgia Meloni delivered the Bari rally speech after her government became Italy's longest-running postwar administration.
Meloni said political stability had helped protect Italy and said she did not plan to give up.
Meloni said EU countries that had treated her government as extremist on immigration were now copying Italian policies.
Meloni acknowledged that answers on some issues were not coming as quickly as they should.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 19:26:21 UTC.
Update
Thousands of people gathered in Bari for the rally, many of them bussed in from other parts of Italy.
The rally had begun with DJ sets and food stalls before Meloni's expected address.
AFP included comments from supporters at the rally praising Meloni's government.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 16:34:02 UTC.
Update
Giorgia Meloni wrote on X that her government had become the longest-serving in the history of the Italian Republic.
Meloni said she welcomed the milestone with gratitude and responsibility, adding that stability allowed a nation to plan, decide and keep commitments.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 08:31:03 UTC.
Update
Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party planned a Bari rally to celebrate the government longevity record.
Organizers said about 80 coaches would bring supporters to a port area able to host up to 10,000 people.
Meloni was due to address supporters in the early evening, with Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani expected to appear by video link.
Anti-government protesters planned a nearby demonstration in Bari's historic centre.
Protest organizers accused the government of creating a war and weapons economy, a police state and a climate of hate against migrants.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 05:28:32 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .