In just over 100 days in office, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has become the most popular leader in the European Union (EU). She set the record for the highest approval rating (52%) by an Italian head of state.
Last year, Meloni became the first and so far only woman to lead Italy. In a video posted on her social media, she shared that after completing her first 100 days in office, her mission remains the same as when she won the elections in September 2022: unite Italy and achieve a nation in which everyone has the same rights, services and attention:
We have begun to defend our borders from human traffickers and project Italy as a nation that is once again a notable international player. Could we have done more? More can always be done, but I am satisfied that not a single day has gone by without at least an attempt to provide at least one answer.
100 azioni in 100 giorni pic.twitter.com/ddjV2pZaej
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 31, 2023
"Governmental stability," say experts, is one of the strengths of her administration, described as "agile and efficient.” Her term has been characterized by her support for businesses and helping families, her commitment to food sovereignty, her tough stance on illegal immigration, and the momentous economic recovery announced by the Bank of Italy for the second half of this year.
"Called a danger, now Giorgia Meloni is the EU's most popular leader"
Before becoming prime minister, Meloni was silenced on social networks and criticized by notable personalities and the mainstream media alike. She was even branded a fascist by many of them. After a strong start to her term, The Times UK journalist Peter Conradi highlighted how the once so-called "danger" Giorgia Meloni "is now the EU's most popular leader":
Her harshest opponents presented her as a danger to her country and to Europe. There were warnings that politicians within her Brothers of Italy party were too openly nostalgic for the days of Benito Mussolini, the fascist dictator. Battles with the European Union and the financial markets were anticipated over her economic plans. Critics speculated about how long a leader with little government experience could hold together a three-party coalition that includes two of her biggest rivals on the right.
However, "Meloni, 46, has emerged from her unexpectedly smooth first 100 days in office, completed last week, as the most popular leader in the EU." Conradi noted.
This same opinion about Meloni is shared by Teresa Coratella, the program manager of the European Council on Foreign Relations in Rome, who pointed out that a crucial aspect of this change in public opinion on Meloni was her shift in tone from her time as leader of the opposition to now as prime minister:
You have to forget about Meloni, the opposition leader, who was very aggressive, very populist and very basic. If you look at her as prime minister she is very pragmatic, very stable politically and not aggressive. At least in public.
Francesco Giubilei, an advisor to the Italian Ministry of Culture, noted that many of her critics, especially those abroad, were wrong about Meloni and her party.
Giubilei notes that under Meloni, her Brothers of Italy party "followed a path that has turned it into a conservative party" similar to those in the English-speaking world, but with more Latin and Catholic influence.
