Italy used to be known for its political chaos. Over the last 70 years, the country has seen 31 prime ministers and 68 different governments—a dizzying turnover that turned crisis into the norm.
But by 2025, the third year since Giorgia Meloni took office, that pattern seems to have shifted. Her right-wing coalition has now been in power for over 1,000 days, a rare feat in modern Italian politics.
Meloni, 48, is Italy’s first female prime minister and the strongest right-wing leader since Silvio Berlusconi. In a nation used to brief terms and fragile alliances, her steady hold on power marks a real shift: a nationalist right-wing that can govern without falling apart.
Her ascent started on September 25, 2022, when her party, Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia)—a national-conservative, right-wing populist group—won the election. The next day, President Sergio Mattarella asked her to form a government, launching an era of unusual stability.
Meloni’s dominance within her coalition is clear. Neither Antonio Tajani, head of Forza Italia and foreign minister, nor Matteo Salvini, leader of the League and infrastructure minister, have been able to challenge her. They remain in government but wield little real influence. Even when Salvini tries to stand out—like criticizing French President Emmanuel Macron after Meloni repaired ties with Paris—it only serves to strengthen her leadership image.
Experts agree that Meloni’s grip on power isn’t built on broad support but on the weakness of the opposition. Former Prime Minister Romano Prodi told La Repubblica, “The opposition doesn’t exist.” The Democratic Party and Five Star Movement are fragmented, unable to present a united alternative. “Such a divided opposition is more of a nuisance than a threat,” Prodi said.
Even members of the center-left acknowledge this. Graziano Delrio, a former minister and Democratic Party leader, told Corriere della Sera that Meloni “has an effective strategy because she connects with groups beyond her usual base.” This broad appeal, rare for a leader from the post-fascist right, explains much of her success.
Meloni’s rise wasn’t built on moderation. She started out in the neo-fascist youth wing of the Italian Social Movement, and her party still carries symbols from that era. But since 2022, her message has shifted. The fiery leader who once shouted “I am Giorgia, I am a woman, I am a mother, I am a Christian” now speaks with the measured tone of a seasoned stateswoman.
Italian analysts call this a “Christian democratization,” where Meloni has learned from old Christian Democratic leaders: adapt, negotiate, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. This means stepping back from extremes and presenting herself as a guardian of stability.
Her shift isn’t just talk. On economic policy, she’s kept the budget discipline set by Mario Draghi, steered clear of clashes with Brussels, and maintained Italy’s NATO membership. What once looked like a populist threat has turned into a pragmatic continuation of previous policies.
Meloni has also raised her profile internationally. She attended the White House summit in August alongside Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and other European leaders, gaining global attention. She spoke at the recent Gaza summit, advocating for “a Europe that’s practical, less bureaucratic, and that respects national sovereignty.”This stance sets her apart from both Draghi’s strict Europeanism and Salvini’s raw Euroskepticism, a political position that is skeptical or critical of the European Union. Meloni has carved out a middle path: working with Brussels while keeping a strong national narrative. She talks about “sovereignty” not as a call to break away but as a demand for respect.
Her foreign policy follows the Mattei Plan, aiming to invest in Africa to reduce migration to Europe. She’s built ties with Qatar, a key mediator in the Gaza conflict, and supports continued military aid to Ukraine. Under her leadership, Italy has regained diplomatic influence it seemed to have lost.
But despite her political control, Meloni faces tough challenges. Italy’s economy is barely growing at 0.6%, and its public debt is a staggering 140% of GDP—among the highest in the developed world. There’s little room to fund her promises on cutting energy costs or helping young people find housing.
Her immigration stance has sparked conflict both inside and outside Italy. Though she vowed to clamp down on illegal immigration, her government approved work permits for nearly half a million non-European migrants to fill labor shortages. She also pushed controversial deals, like setting up migrant detention centers in Albania and funding the Libyan Coast Guard to intercept boats in the Mediterranean.
Domestically, her administration passed a security decree increasing penalties for riots and damage during protests, a move civil rights groups warn threatens freedom of expression. She’s also championed a constitutional reform called “premierato,” proposing direct election of the prime minister. While intended to bring stability, critics fear it could concentrate too much power in the prime minister’s hands, weakening Parliament and the presidency. The proposal is still being debated in Parliament.