The Straits Times World News
· collected 2026-09-04 · by The Straits Times
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni marked a record 1,400 days in office on September 4, surpassing Silvio Berlusconi's 2005 record as the longest-serving government of the postwar era. Speaking in Bari, Meloni credited her administration with delivering lasting stability to Italy, which had previously been viewed as a "case to monitor" within the European Union due to its political volatility. Financial analysts agree that Meloni's strongest achievement is restoring confidence in Italy's finances, but critics argue that little has been done to address deeper issues such as inefficient public administration and stagnant economic growth. The opposition center-left bloc holds a narrow lead over Meloni's coalition in opinion polls ahead of the 2027 elections.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Giorgia Meloni's government in Italy has become the longest-serving postwar administration, surpassing Silvio Berlusconi's record by one day after 1,413 days in office. Prime Minister Meloni marked this milestone with a rally in Bari, where she highlighted her government's stability and achievements, including financial discipline and a reputation for being a steady presence on the international stage. Italy has had 68 governments in 80 years, but Meloni's right-wing coalition has managed to avoid crises and defections that have toppled previous administrations. The event was also seen as an election rally ahead of the 2027 vote, with Meloni expected to lead her coalition into the campaign. Critics argue that Italy's longstanding problems, including weak productivity growth and low wages, remain largely unresolved under Meloni's government.
Written for “Italy's Leader Record Set” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score +0.00 for article 3975 (low confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-04
Marking record tenure, Meloni hails Italy’s turn to stability
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Meloni → mark → stability
ROME – A record period of government stability has strengthened Italy, which is no longer viewed within the European Union as “a case to monitor”, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sept 4 as her administration became the longest-serving of the postwar era.
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administration → strengthen → era
In a country notorious for political volatility, Meloni’s right-wing coalition has surpassed Silvio Berlusconi’s 2005 record, passing more than 1,400 days in office since taking power in October 2022.
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coalition → surpass → October
Speaking at an event in the southern city of Bari to mark the milestone, Meloni listed what she described as her government’s key achievements.
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she → speak → achievements
Delivering lasting political stability in a country that had had 68 governments in 80 years was itself a major accomplishment, she said.
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she → deliver → years
“Stability is the first major reform we have delivered to this nation.
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we → deliver → nation
Thanks to that stability, Italy has stopped being a country under watch in Europe,” she told supporters.
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she → stop → supporters
During a tumultuous global period of conflict and economic shockwaves, Italy has appeared steadier than some nearby countries, including France, which has had five prime ministers since autumn 2022, and Britain, which has had four.
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which → appear → four
Meloni said political stability had reassured financial markets about Italy’s handling of its public finances and high debt pile, helping soften borrowing costs on government bonds.
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stability → say → bonds
“Having the public accounts in order means fewer constraints.
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Having → have → constraints
Those who keep their finances in order get to decide where to spend their money,” she said.
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she → keep → money
Analysts broadly agree that Meloni’s strongest achievement has been restoring confidence in Italy’s finances, but critics say little has been done to overhaul the inefficient public administration, healthcare and education systems.
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little → agree → systems
The government’s main institutional reforms, including plans to strengthen the prime minister’s powers, have stalled, while voters this year rejected a government-backed referendum on judicial reform.
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voters → include → reform
The centre-left opposition on Sept 4 accused the government of failing to address Italy’s longstanding problems.
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opposition → accuse → problems
“Four years of inactivity and inertia are not a badge of honour but an aggravating factor,” said Giuseppe Conte, a former prime minister and leader of the 5-Star Movement, pointing to the country’s persistently sluggish economic growth.
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Conte → say → growth
A demonstration was staged in Bari against the rally organised by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party.
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demonstration → stag → party
With elections due in 2027, Meloni is expected to lead her coalition into the campaign.
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Meloni → expect → campaign
In opinion polls, the centre-left bloc holds a narrow lead over Meloni’s alliance, whose support has been eroded by Futuro Nazionale, a far-right movement that has tapped into concerns over immigration, security and cultural change.
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that → hold → immigration
