Italy’s Meloni celebrates record in power

Giorgia Meloni on Friday (September 4, 2026) celebrates her hard-right government becoming the longest-lasting in Italy's postwar history, with a rally in Bari expected to draw thousands of supporters, while protesters demonstrate nearby.

Italy's first leader will have been in charge of the same administration for 1,413 days — one more than billionaire media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi managed — despite crises within the other parties in her governing coalition.

Italy has had 68 governments in 80 years. Past governments were toppled by crises and defections which Mr. Meloni has so far managed to avoid.

Some 80 coaches will transport supporters to the capital of the southern Puglia region for a shindig thrown by Ms. Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, in an area of the port that can host up to 10,000 people, organisers say.