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The government led by Giorgia Meloni reached a particularly significant milestone in Italian institutional history in the summer of 2026, becoming the longest-serving government since 1948. Officially sworn in on October 22, 2022, the government reached 1,410 days in office on August 31, 2026, surpassing the previous record held by the second Berlusconi government, which totaled 1,409 days of effective activity. This distinction is important because the calculation excludes periods in which a government, despite having resigned, continues to perform only the functions necessary for ordinary administration.
COMPARISON WITH THE SECOND BERLUSCONI GOVERNMENT
The previous record belonged to the second Berlusconi government, which took office on June 11, 2001. The government was supported by Forza Italia, the National Alliance, the Northern League, and other centrist forces, including the Union of the Centre and the New Socialist Party. Its tenure ended following an internal crisis within the majority, which also arose after the center-right’s heavy defeat in the regional elections. Berlusconi resigned on April 20, 2005, but the government formally remained in office to handle current affairs until April 23. On that date, the third Berlusconi government took office, supported by a largely similar majority. The second government had therefore reached 1,409 days of effective office, to which were added three days since its resignation.
POLITICAL STABILITY AND CONTINUITY
This new record takes on a significance that goes beyond mere temporal duration. The Meloni government’s nearly four-year tenure at Palazzo Chigi highlights a particularly significant political continuity in the context of the history of the Republic, which is frequently characterized by government crises, majority reorganizations, and executive rotations. The coalition’s unity has allowed the government to maintain substantial continuity in its political direction. Formally, the previous record was surpassed on September 3, 2026, marking 1,413 days since taking office (considering the days since the Berlusconi government resigned).
EMPLOYMENT AND THE LABOR MARKET
Longevity, however, is only one of the elements through which the government intends to characterize its budget. Labor market performance plays a central role. Employment increased from 23.252 million in November 2022 to 24.370 million in July 2026, an increase of 4.8%, corresponding to over one million people. Over the same period, the employment rate reached 63.2%, while unemployment decreased from 7.8% at the end of 2022 to 5.8%. The youth unemployment rate also improved, with the rate falling from 24% in September 2022 to 18.9%. Particularly significant is the increase in permanent contracts, which grew by over 1.3 million, accompanied by a reduction in precarious workers of 534,000. Finally, female employment reached 54.5%, compared to 51.6% at the beginning of the legislative session.
TAX POLICIES AND BUSINESS SUPPORT
In parallel with employment policies, the government has promoted measures aimed at reducing the tax burden on low- and medium-income earners, through a reduction in the tax wedge and a reform of the personal income tax (IRPEF). For businesses, the maximum deduction for labor costs has been increased to 120%, with a level of 130% for certain categories of new hires. For self-employed workers, the threshold for accessing the flat-rate scheme has been increased from €65,000 to €85,000. The substitute tax on productivity bonuses has also been reduced from 10% to 1%, while the limit for eligible compensation has been raised from €3,000 to €5,000. Fringe benefits have also benefited from an increase in the tax-free threshold, set at €1,000 and €2,000 for workers with children.
FAMILY, PUBLIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND SECURITY
Family policy is another key area of government action. The Mothers’ Bonus, introduced in 2024, was increased from €40 to €60 per month in 2026 for working women with at least two children and an ISEE of up to €40,000. Parental leave provides three months’ compensation at 80% of salary, while the Nursery Bonus can reach €3,600 per year for families with an ISEE of up to €40,000. Added to these measures are the €1,000 contribution for new births, the ISEE revision, and the “Dedicated to You” card. In terms of public finances, the deficit is estimated at 3.1%, while in terms of security, a sharp decrease in arrivals is reported. Overall, the results of nearly four years of government combine the primacy of institutional longevity with assertive results in the areas of employment, taxation, family policies, public finances, and security, outlining one of the most enduring political experiences in the history of the Republic.