Italy's Giorgia Meloni throws party to celebrate record in power

On Friday, Italy's hard-right government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marked a historic milestone by becoming the longest-lasting government in Italy's postwar history. Meloni's administration has been in power for 1,413 days, surpassing the record set by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Despite internal tensions within her governing coalition, Italy has only had 68 governments in the past 80 years, with past governments often falling due to crises and defections.

To celebrate this achievement, Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy (FdI) party organized a rally in Bari, which is expected to draw thousands of supporters. The event will feature traditional Puglian light shows, DJ sets, and speeches highlighting the government's accomplishments, such as creating over one million jobs and reducing personal income taxes by 21 billion euros.

However, critics argue that while fiscal stability has improved, it has not translated into economic growth. The government's policies have focused on security, migration, and tackling various threats, including petty criminals, ravers, and climate protesters. Meloni's coalition, which includes the far-right League and right-wing Forza Italia, has passed nearly 300 laws and decrees.

As Meloni prepares for the upcoming 2027 election, she will need to address how her administration will use its remaining time in power, amid growing concerns about a "war and weapons economy" and a "police state" created by her government.