Going against the grain of other European leaders, Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, completed three years of government this week with rising popularity inside and outside the country.
Recent surveys indicate that his approval has jumped since 2022, the same success has followed with his conservative management and his party, the Brothers of Italy. Currently, his administration’s approval rating stands at an average of 47%, a significant number at a time of strong uncertainty and a decline in European confidence in their authorities.
According to the Italian website specializing in electoral research Political report cardif the elections were held in August this year, the conservative coalition would have almost 50% of the votes, four points more than three years ago, when it was elected. Such is its popularity that in three regional elections in recent weeks, Meloni’s party increased its support even in a bastion of the left, Tuscany.
The ruler established herself as one of the most influential and stable leaders on the continent, while neighboring countries, such as France and Germany, sank into crises.
Political stability and reduced public spending are hallmarks of his government
One of the main hallmarks of the Italian government that generated these results is internal political stability.
His administration is considered the third longest in the Republic, surpassed for now only by the two terms of former right-wing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Since the founding of the Republic in Italy, in post-war 1946, 68 governments have been sworn in, which represents almost a change of government every year. That now appears to be changing with Meloni.
In the three years of government, the prime minister managed to improve the country’s economic indicators, which still faces excessive debt with the European Union (EU), but has managed to reduce it each year. Currently, debt is equivalent to 135% of GDP, but the more cautious approach to public spending led by Meloni has contributed to a greater balance in national accounts.
The three-year forecasts of the Minister of Economy, Giancarlo Giorgetti, which are used to prepare the Federal Budget, indicate that the Italian economy will grow slightly in the coming years: GDP will increase by 0.7% in 2026, 0.8% in 2027 and 0.5% in 2028. Meanwhile, the government will continue its path of reducing the public deficit, which will fall from 2.8% of GDP in 2026 to 2.3% at the end of the three-year period, according to projections.
During a recent press conference in Florence, the Italian prime minister acknowledged that she “doesn’t perform miracles”, but insisted that “things are improving” for the country.
His government this month approved the General Union Budget for 2026, which includes €18.7 billion in aid to families and health. According to Meloni herself, the budget law focuses on the main priorities of her administration: supporting families and birth rates, reducing taxes, improving the purchasing power of Italians and investing in health.
The prime minister also announced the increase in defense spending, in line with the demands of NATO and its American ally, Donald Trump, who set a target of 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). She hopes this can be financed mainly through cuts to ministerial spending.
Another internal success, as promoted by the conservative government, is the reduction in the arrival of immigrants across its borders, one of its main campaign promises in 2022. In return for the reduction in irregular immigration, the government increased the number of visas for legal workers from outside the European Union.
One of the most serious issues currently affecting the country is the low birth rate, a trend seen across Europe in recent decades. Last year, Italy recorded a historic drop in birth rates, with 369,944 births annually, a 2.5% reduction compared to 2023.
Italian Prime Minister stands out as Trump ally and Israel supporter
This political stability and the still timid economic growth have generated Meloni’s notoriety on the international stage, making her one of the main allies of United States President Donald Trump, who recently called the Italian a “successful politician”.
The prime minister has also taken a pro-Ukraine stance since the Russian invasion in 2022, despite reiterating that she will not send troops to the eastern European country. The Italian has also maintained its support for Israel since the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, despite growing popular pressure to end partnerships with the Middle Eastern country.
Despite supporting Israel, she advocates the creation of a Palestinian state, as long as Hamas terrorists have no role in the Gaza transition. Still on the issue, she stated that she is willing to participate “in a possible International Stabilization Force and to continue supporting the Palestinian National Authority in training its police forces and strengthening its operational capacity.”
