Right-wing Meloni sworn in as Italy's first woman prime minister

Giorgia and her cabinet were sworn into office as Italy's first woman prime minister on Saturday (22 October). This gives the country its most right-leaning government since World War Two.

Her appointment comes at a difficult time, as Italy's debt-laden economic sector is once more in recession and firms buckle under the pressure of skyrocketing energy bills. There are also divisions within her coalition regarding the war in Ukraine.

As her six-year-old daughter watched, Meloni took the oath of office under the frescoed crystal chandeliers in the presidential palace.

Meloni is the head of the nationalist Brothers of Italy and won an election as part of a coalition which included Forza Italia, headed by ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, along with Matteo Salvini’s anti-immigrant League.

Her government, the 12th of this century, replaces the national unity administration led by Mario Draghi (ex-CEB chief), who was at forefront of European Union sanctions against Russia following its invasion in February.

Meloni has promised support to Ukraine. However, Berlusconi consistently undercut her. He revealed earlier this week that he had exchanging gifts with his friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After many days of tense discussions, Meloni finally revealed her team Friday. She gave five ministries to Forza Italia and the League, and left nine for her party.

The rest of the 24-strong squad is made up of technocrats. There are only six women in the squad and the average age there is 60.

Giancarlo Giorgetti was entrusted with Italy's weak economy and its ballooning national debt. He is considered a moderate member the League. Antonio Tajani, a Forza Italia veteran and pro-European dove, was given the Foreign Ministry.

Tajani stated to a local television station that his first act would have been to call his Ukrainian counterpart and assure him of Italy’s continued support.

'PATRIOTS COMING TO POT'

Meloni's party is neofascist, but she tried to project a moderate image during her campaign. She dropped anti-EU rhetoric, and pledged to keep Italy at heart of European and Western institutions.

On Saturday, the leaders of the European Commission in Brussels sent her messages congratulating her.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission, wrote that she "counts on" and looks forward to constructive cooperation on the new government's challenges.

Meloni was also praised by Europe's conservative nationalists. They hope that her government will be a strong ally during their ongoing battles with Brussels.

"Congratulations Giorgia, Meloni, on the formation your government! It's a big day for the European Right!" Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on Twitter.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the French far-right Marine Le Pen tweeted: "All across Europe, patriots have come to power."

After Draghi's formal handover, Meloni will hold her first cabinet meeting.

She will then have to face mandatory confidence votes in parliament, which she will win easily due to her large majority.

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