Right-wing party alliance: New cabinet sworn in Italy

Giorgia Meloni is Italy’s first female Prime Minister. Together with her ministers, she took her oath of office in Rome. In addition to well-known names, the cabinet includes an abortion critic and a former arms lobbyist.

Giorgia Meloni stepped up to the gold-decorated ceremonial table in the Quirinale Palace in a deep blue pantsuit, with a firm step and a serious expression. Before President Sergio Mattarella, she swore the oath of office as Italy’s new head of government: “I swear to be loyal to the republic, to respect the constitution and the laws and to exercise my mandate and my functions in the exclusive interest of the nation.” Giorgia Meloni is now Italy’s prime minister.

In addition to its post-fascist Brothers of Italy party, the Melonis government also includes the right-wing populist Lega Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. Together, these parties clearly won the parliamentary elections on September 25th.

Former arms lobbyist becomes Secretary of Defense

Meloni’s brothers in Italy have nine ministers in the new government. Among other things, they occupy the Ministry of Justice with former anti-corruption prosecutor Carlo Nordio and the Ministry of Defense with Meloni’s companion Guido Crosetto. After the swearing-in, he promised a government that would work for all Italians:

The appointment of Meloni’s confidante as secretary of defense was controversial, as Crosetto used to be the head of a defense industry association.

Abortion critic heads family ministry

The family ministry also goes to the Meloni party. Here Eugenia Roccella, who is considered an opponent of same-sex partnerships and an abortion critic, takes over. Two months ago, the new family minister said in a program on TV channel La7:

Abortion has been legal in Italy since 1978 under certain conditions. In recent years, the Melonis party has restricted the application of abortion rights in regions it governs. Officially, the ministry will be called the Ministry for Family, Birth Rate and Equality in the future.

Salvini heads the Ministry of Infrastructure

Five ministries go to the Berlusconi party Forza Italia. The Foreign Minister is an old friend in Europe, the former EU Parliament President Antonio Tajani. He also assumes the role of Deputy Prime Minister. Another Meloni deputy is Lega boss Matteo Salvini. The former Minister of the Interior will also head the Ministry of Infrastructure in the future.

Matteo Piantedosi, the former head of Salvini’s cabinet and current prefect of Rome, will be the new interior minister. The Ministry of Finance and Economics also goes to the Lega, where Giancarlo Giorgetti, who is considered moderately liberal, takes over.

Parliament’s vote of confidence is still pending

Giorgia Meloni announced on Twitter that her government would work quickly to respond to the urgent problems facing the nation and its citizens.

The symbolic transfer of office in the government palace in Chigi and in the individual ministries is planned for Sunday. According to the Italian constitution, the government only faces the votes of confidence in both chambers of parliament after it has officially taken office. The votes in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

First woman to head government

Giorgia Meloni is the first woman to hold the highest government office in Italy and overall, after Matteo Renzi, the second youngest head of government. The 45-year-old Roman woman began her political career in the neo-fascist MSI party and still represents extreme right-wing positions today. A few years ago, Meloni said she had a relaxed relationship with fascism. During the election campaign, the leader of the Italian brothers announced that she would fight harder for Italian interests in Brussels.