One year into her tenure, Giorgia Meloni’s governance has proven less divisive than initially feared, but concerns linger about her policies.
As Giorgia Meloni marks her first year in office as Italy’s Prime Minister, the landscape of public opinion shows a marked shift. Once a figure of polarizing expectations, today she finds herself at a more nuanced juncture. Upon her election on October 22, 2022, Meloni led a coalition government comprising Matteo Salvini’s anti-immigrant League, Silvio Berlusconi’s conservative Forza Italia, and her own nationalist party, Fratelli d’Italia. It became the most right-leaning Italian government since World War II.
Meloni recently faced a personal setback when she announced her split from her partner, Andrea Giambruno, amid allegations of his sexist conduct. However, she remains steadfast in her political journey. “A year later, I am proud of what we have achieved,” Meloni stated in an audio message sent to her party members.
Two Faces of Governance
Interestingly, there are two versions of Giorgia Meloni: one that interfaces with the international community, particularly Europe, demonstrating a pragmatic approach; and another that leans towards hardline policies domestically, especially on immigration. Political analyst Giovanni Orsina from Luiss University in Rome argues that Meloni’s administration has not been as severe as many had anticipated. She has kept Italy fully integrated within the Atlantic Alliance and has maintained a dialogic stance with the European Union.
Navigating the Policy Landscape
Despite this, the opposition warns against an accumulation of repressive laws, such as severe penalties for juvenile offenders and restrictions on gestational surrogacy. Many of these policies, critics argue, are geared towards appealing to Italy’s conservative and Catholic electorate. However, they often find themselves contested in various forums, including the judiciary and European regulations. A case in point was a 40% tax on “excess profits” of banks, which Meloni had to promptly amend due to plummeting stock prices.
Public Opinion and Meloni’s Appeal
Polls indicate that Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party remains the country’s leading party, boasting over 28% of voter intentions. Meloni herself continues to enjoy considerable popularity for her perceived integrity, decisiveness, and coherence, even if her performance on issues like immigration leaves much to be desired. Her recent decision to part ways with her partner after his inappropriate conduct was widely lauded as a courageous move.
The Critique
Not everyone is sold on Meloni’s charisma, however. Critics argue that her government has tabled numerous reforms as symbolic gestures for her voter base, many of which are unworkable. According to Claudio Cerasa, editor of the right-leaning newspaper Il Foglio, the method employed by Meloni is clear: “Use laws not to govern, but to propagate.”
As Giorgia Meloni navigates her way through the maze of governance and public expectations, her actions continue to draw both criticism and praise. One thing is certain: her first year in office has been far from uneventful, and the world continues to watch closely.
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