Legal alliance in Italy: Meloni sworn in as head of government

In Italy, election winner Meloni has been sworn in as prime minister. The party leader of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia will thus become the first woman in office. Her cabinet was also sworn in.

Giorgia Meloni has been sworn in as Italian Prime Minister. In Rome, the party leader of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia took the oath in front of Head of State Sergio Mattarella. The women and men in her cabinet were also sworn in in the Quirinal Palace.

The 45-year-old is the first woman in the history of the Republic to become Prime Minister. In an alliance with the conservative Forza Italia led by ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the right-wing populist League led by Matteo Salvini, a right-wing government will rule the country in the future.

A handover between Meloni and her predecessor Mario Draghi is planned for Sunday in the Palazzo Chigi, and the Council of Ministers will meet for the first time. The cabinet then needs confirmation by a vote of confidence in the two chambers of parliament, which observers say could happen early next week. The right-wing alliance has had an absolute majority in parliament since the September elections, which is why voting for the new government should not be a major hurdle.

Vote of confidence probably just a matter of form

Meloni’s party emerged as the clear winner in September’s parliamentary elections with 26 percent of the vote. The far-right with fascist roots was previously just a small opposition party in parliament.

On Twitter, Meloni recently promised a “high-caliber executive branch that will work quickly to respond to the pressing problems facing the nation and its citizens.” Salvini tweeted: “Five years together to change Italy” – well aware that the country’s governments last a little over a year on average.

Under the new right-wing government, Italy’s stance on migration is likely to become more hostile. The alliance also emphasized that it wanted to do more for Italy’s interests. Meloni’s position on the EU has already caused concern in Brussels and other European countries. She recently declared that Italy will remain fully part of Europe and the Atlantic Alliance.

Controversy over ministerial posts

There has recently been a heated argument within the legal alliance about the distribution of ministerial posts. Berlusconi also caused unrest when he wrote about Meloni last week as “opinionated, haughty, arrogant, insulting” and recently expressed his sympathy for the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Ukraine war. He is also a close friend of the Kremlin boss and he gave him vodka for his birthday, the 86-year-old told parliamentarians during the week.

The Justice Department was particularly hard-fought. Berlusconi, who is still on trial for his “bunga bunga parties,” wanted the department for his party. However, Meloni remained firm to the end and nominated former prosecutor Carlo Nordio from her party for the post. Maria Elisabetta Casellati, a confidant of Berlusconi who he actually wanted to position there, was given the Reform Ministry in return. Berlusconi, who is in poor health, will not take on a ministerial post.

Salvini becomes infrastructure minister

Economics Minister is Giancarlo Giorgetti, who was already a member of Mario Draghi’s cabinet. The 55-year-old is considered a moderate and pro-European representative of the Lega. Their boss Matteo Salvini – once known as interior minister for his hard line against immigrants – is minister for transport and infrastructure and again deputy head of government.

The European politician Antonio Tajani (Forza Italia) is also planned as Italy’s foreign minister and Meloni’s deputy.