Meloni breaks Berlusconi’s record as Italy’s longest-serving PM

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has become the longest-serving head of government in the history of the country’s republic, surpassing the previous record held by Silvio Berlusconi.

Meloni reached 1,413 days in office on Friday (September 4), having taken over as prime minister on October 22, 2022, Italy’s ANSA news agency reported.

The milestone also makes her the longest-serving Italian prime minister since World War II. Berlusconi’s second government previously held the record, lasting 1,412 days from June 11, 2001, to April 23, 2005.

A special event was organised in the southern port city of Bari on Friday to mark Meloni’s record. Thousands of people were expected to attend, while security was tightened around the venue and surrounding areas amid concerns over possible protests, Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore reported.

Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party also released a video highlighting what it described as the government’s achievements over nearly four years, promoting it with the slogan: “The most stable government, the strongest Italy.”

Reacting to the milestone on X, Meloni said she accepted the record with gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility.

She argued that longevity in office was not the ultimate measure of success, but that political stability gives a country greater scope for long-term planning, effective decision-making, fulfilling commitments and earning respect internationally.