Modi congratulates Giorgia Meloni after her government sets Italy’s longest-serving postwar record, as she credits coalition unity and voter trust for the milestone.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after her government became the longest continuously serving government in Italy’s postwar history, calling the milestone a reflection of the trust and confidence placed in her by the Italian people.
Meloni crossed the 1,413-day mark on Thursday, surpassing the previous record held by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. She became Italy’s first woman prime minister when she took office on October 22, 2022.
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“Congratulations to my friend Prime Minister Meloni on becoming the longest continuously serving Prime Minister in Italy’s postwar history,” Modi said in a post on X.
He said the achievement reflected the confidence of the Italian people in her leadership and highlighted Meloni’s role in strengthening ties between India and Italy.
“Her friendship has also been instrumental in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership,” Modi said, adding that he looked forward to continuing close cooperation to build a prosperous future for the people of both countries.
“My best wishes for her continued success in the years ahead,” the Prime Minister added.
Meloni marks the milestone with message of responsibility
Meloni also marked the milestone in a post on X, describing the record as a source of gratitude and responsibility rather than something to simply celebrate.
“Today our Government becomes the longest-serving in the history of the Italian Republic,” Meloni said, adding that she welcomed the achievement “with gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility.”
She stressed that political stability was important because it allowed the country to plan and make long-term decisions.
“Stability is not a record to flaunt, but the condition that allows a Nation to plan, decide, honor commitments, and command respect,” she said.
Meloni pointed to her government's record on employment, unemployment, families, businesses, security and public finances, while acknowledging that significant challenges remained.
“The results are there, but we know full well how many things still remain to be done,” she said.
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Meloni credits coalition and Italian voters
The Italian prime minister also rejected the idea that the longevity of her government was the achievement of one person.
“This stability is not the merit of a single person. It is the result of a united coalition,” she said, crediting her coalition partners for staying together around a shared political vision.
Meloni also thanked Italian voters who backed her coalition in the 2022 election.
“Above all, this stability exists thanks to the Italians who in 2022 gave us their trust,” she said.
She added that the government had never treated that support as a “blank check” and would return to voters with its record and plans for the future.
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A rare period of stability in Italian politics
Meloni’s achievement is significant in a country where governments have historically struggled to remain in office for long periods.
Her conservative coalition has remained intact since she became prime minister in 2022, allowing her to avoid the defections and political crises that have brought down several previous Italian governments.
Supporters point to stronger public finances, job creation, lower unemployment and a decline in migrant arrivals as evidence of progress. Meloni has said her policies helped create more than one million stable jobs.
Critics, however, argue that Italy continues to face deep structural problems, including weak productivity, demographic decline and shortcomings in areas such as healthcare, education and public administration.
Foreign policy strengthens Meloni’s standing
Meloni has also sought to strengthen Italy’s position internationally. Her government has maintained support for Ukraine, worked closely with European institutions and cultivated a relationship with US President Donald Trump.
Her shift from a nationalist outsider to a more established European leader has helped improve her standing among European partners and investors, according to analysts.
The development has also been closely watched ahead of Italy’s next general election, due by the end of 2027. Meloni is seeking to turn her government’s unusual longevity and international standing into political support for another term.
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Meloni heads to Bari rally
Meloni and her party, Brothers of Italy, are marking the milestone with a major rally in Bari on Friday.
In her message, she said the government would continue working while leaving the ultimate decision on its future to voters.
“Next year we will return before the citizens with what we have done, with what remains to be done, and with our idea of the future,” she said.
“It will once again be up to them to decide whether we deserve to continue this journey,” Meloni added.
Prime Minister Modi’s message comes as India and Italy continue to deepen their Special Strategic Partnership, with both countries seeking closer cooperation across economic, technological and geopolitical areas.
Published: 04 Sept 2026, 02:57 pm IST
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