{
  "id": 5598561,
  "title": "Giorgia Meloni congratulated on becoming modern Italy's longest serving leader",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/giorgia-meloni-congratulated-on-becoming-modern-italys-longest-5598561",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T16:20:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/2026/09/04/giorgia-meloni-congratulated-on-becoming-modern-italys-longest-serving-leader/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made history by becoming the country's longest-serving leader since the republic's establishment in 1946. Her tenure began 1,413 days ago, during a period of significant economic challenges, after she took office with the forecast that her government would last no more than six months. In response to these concerns, she emphasized that Italy would not default on its financial obligations and remained steadfast in her leadership. Her record surpasses that of Silvio Berlusconi's longest-serving government from the early 2000s, even though Berlusconi served in office three times. The Brothers of Italy Party, Meloni's political force, is set to organize a celebratory event in the southern city of Bari. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed commended Meloni's leadership and highlighted the UAE-Italy strategic partnership, pledging commitment to further strengthen their ties. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also congratulated Meloni, praising her for her conviction and courage. Despite the milestone, Meloni's government faces challenges at the upcoming elections, including criticism over her focus on security and cultural values over economic growth. The far-right party Futuro Nazionale, led by former army general Roberto Vannacci, has gained popularity and may join her coalition, although this option has received mixed reactions from her leadership.",
  "summary": "Giorgia Meloni has become Italy's longest-serving Prime Minister since the country became a republic in 1946, as she kicks of her campaign for next year's elections. She was sworn in 1,413 days ago, in a country under deep economic pressures where the 67 previous governments lasted barely a year on average. The forecast when Ms Meloni took power was that “we’d last six months at most, that the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Giorgia Meloni congratulated on becoming modern Italy's longest serving leader",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/giorgia-meloni-congratulated-on-becoming-modern-italys-longest",
        "published": "2026-09-04T16:20:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}