Rising costs and protests put Meloni's government under pressure

Even as Giorgia Meloni's government marks a political milestone – the longest-serving administration in the history of the Italian Republic – the prime minister is facing growing scrutiny over rising costs and stagnant wages. 

Across Italy, thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest, with workers in both the private and public sectors arguing that salaries are failing to keep pace with everyday expenses. 

Piero Bernocchi, national spokesperson for the COBAS trade union, called for greater investment in education and healthcare rather than increased spending on defense. 

"I'm here to oppose the rising cost of living and to call for a mechanism to adjust wages and pensions in line with inflation," Bernocchi told CGTN. "We must invest in public services."

The protests come as Meloni marks four years in office. On September 4, her administration became the longest-serving single government in Italy's post-war history, surpassing the previous record held by Silvio Berlusconi's second government. 

Political analysts say recent demonstrations don't necessarily signal a shift in support for Meloni. Indeed Lorenzo Castellani, Associate Professor of the History of Political Institutions at Rome's LUISS Guido Carli University, thinks that the government's tough response to unrest in Milan could even work in the leader's favor. 

"We might see different effects of these protests on the government," Castellani told CGTN. "Some of them could be positive, with the government responding to disorder by restoring order, while others could be more concerning for its support, particularly in the case of inflation."

Economic pressures are mounting. Preliminary figures from Italy's national statistics agency, Istat, show annual inflation surged to 5.4% in October, its highest level since August 2023. 

Energy prices rose by 31.4% year-on-year and Italy's economy also stagnated in the third quarter of 2026.

According to Castellani, while the economy and inflation are clearly Meloni's main challenges, her longevity remains an important political advantage.

"Her main asset now is her personal credibility, the stability of government, but at the same time, the division of the opposition," he said.

For now, Meloni's Brothers of Italy party continues to lead opinion polls. 

A date is yet to be set, but Italians could be casting their vote as early as next spring.