Brothers of Italy (FdI) leader Giorgia Meloni was sworn in as Italy’s first woman prime minister before President Sergio Mattarella on Saturday.
Meloni takes over the helm of government from Mario Draghi. Her FdI party spearheaded the right-wing coalition to victory in last month’s general election. The FdI won around 26% of the vote on its own.
The 45-year-old Roman’s 24-strong cabinet, which features only six women ministers, was also sworn in.
“Here is the government team that will serve Italy with pride and a sense of responsibility,” Meloni said. “Now straight down to work”.
Background of Italy’s first woman prime minister
Meloni has been involved in politics since she was an activist for the non-defunct right-wing MSI group in her teens.
A political high-flier, she became Italy’s youngest ever minister when she took on the role of youth minister at the age of 31 in Berlusconi’s 2008-2011 government.
In 2012 she co-founded the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party. FdI won only around 4% of the vote at the 2018 election.
FdI was the only major group not to back Draghi’s government of national unity. As a result, the party became the lead player in the right-wing alliance which features Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and the League. Leader of the League, Matteo Salvini is the new Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister.
After the ceremony Salvini posted a photo of himself with Meloni. The accompanying message read: “five years together to change Italy”.
The traditional bell-ringing ceremony in which Draghi will hand over the baton of government to Meloni will take place on Sunday. After that Meloni will preside over her first cabinet meeting.
US and EU presidents look forward to working with Meloni
United States President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen both congratulated new Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni
“I congratulate Giorgia Meloni on becoming the new Prime Minister of Italy,” Biden said in a message released by the White House. Italy is a vital NATO Ally and close partner as our nations together address shared global challenges.
“As leaders in the G7, I look forward to continuing to advance our support for Ukraine, hold Russia accountable for its aggression, ensure respect for human rights and democratic values, and build sustainable economic growth”.
Von der Leyen stressed the importance of Meloni being “the first woman to hold the post” of Italian premier.
“I count on and look forward to constructive cooperation with the new government on the challenges we face together,” she said.
European Council President Charles Michel also congratulated the Brothers of Italy (FdI) leader.
“Let’s work together for the benefit of Italy and the EU,” Michel tweeted.
In her congratulatory message, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stressed that Europe was facing “enormous challenges. “Let’s help our citizens and support Ukraine, remaining united and determined,” she added. “Europe needs Italy. Together we will overcome every difficulty”.
