The Prime Minister delivered her speech on a stage measuring approximately 25 meters by 12 metres. There are many references to the key themes of these almost four years of government, from work to taxes, from security to migrants. "You give me an immense emotion with this square", begins Meloni. We have the highest consensus on the first day of government", this result "would not have been possible without the contribution of all the leaders and parliamentarians of the centre-right". "We are not together against anyone but to affirm our ideas", states the prime minister, "we still have the list of what we must do". "I did not come to Bari to celebrate, I have the burden of responsibility. I am here to retrace where the nation was on 22 October 2022 and where it is now because in a democracy we must account for" the promises made to Italians, "stability is the first major reform given to the nation", underlines the Prime Minister, "when Italy sits at the table our nation is taken very seriously, it can say no, indicate the course. The battles that Italy lost today are victories that we want to launch to Italians regardless of who wins the elections."
The afternoon of celebrations was opened by the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, who placed a laurel wreath on the plaque commemorating Pinuccio Tatarella. On platform 10, shortly before the start of the party, there was a meeting of the FdI Chamber and Senate groups, confirming the fact that the party, rather than the government, belongs to the Brothers of Italy. Another clue is the presence at the maxi-event in Bari only of FdI ministers, deputy ministers and undersecretaries. There is also the executive vice president of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto. Maurizio Lupi, leader of We Moderates, was present, but the ministers of Lega and Forza Italia were not present. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, speaking via video link, said: "My thoughts go to two giants of the centre-right who began the legislature with us and now follow us and celebrate from up there, Silvio Berlusconi and Umberto Bossi, who have sacrificed years of life, family, trials, personal freedom to get to today, these 1,413 days". The deputy prime minister and leader of Forza Italia Antonio Tajani, again via video link, stated: "The strength of the centre-right is this, since '94 we have been a stable governing coalition in which the principles of loyalty, correctness, friendship and fidelity towards voters prevail. When fighting political battles, knowing that there is a loyal friend at your side makes you fight more forcefully and the results you achieve become easier."
There was no shortage of controversy regarding the definition of the route of the counter-demonstration. The procession, in fact, cannot reach the port of Bari, as had been requested by the organizers. The Police Headquarters authorized a more limited route than expected with arrival at the Basilica of San Nicola, far from Terminal 10 of the port where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks.
"We believe it is unacceptable that the fear of challenges to the Prime Minister transforms large portions of the city into private reception rooms for the exclusive use of those in power. This prolonged state of uncertainty about the route has deliberately hindered adequate public communication, limiting the free participation of citizens", said the organizers of the parade.
"Today our government becomes the longest in the history of the Italian Republic. It is a fact that I welcome with gratitude and with a strong sense of responsibility. Because stability is not a record to show off, but the condition that allows a nation to plan, decide, keep commitments and be respected", wrote the prime minister on social media. "In recent years we have worked to increase employment, reduce unemployment, support families and businesses, strengthen security, govern public finances with seriousness and restore weight and credibility to Italy on the international scene. The results are there, but we know how many things still remain to be done", he added.
And again: "This stability is not the merit of a single person. It is the result of a united coalition, which has governed for four years with a common vision and which has chosen to stay together not against anyone, but to carry out a project for Italy. I do not believe it is a coincidence that, as of today, the three longest-serving governments in republican history are all centre-right governments. Stability is built when an alliance shares values, objectives and a vision of the nation, not when the only reason for staying together is to prevent others from governing. But above all, this stability exists thanks to the Italians who have trusted us in 2022. A trust that we have never considered a blank check and that we will never take for granted. Next year we will return to the citizens with what we have done, with what remains to be done and with our idea of the future. And they will once again decide whether we deserve to continue this journey the opportunity to look each other in the eye, take stock of the road we have traveled and, above all, talk about the one we still have ahead of us, with our feet on the ground and our gaze turned towards the future".
Congratulatory messages reached Meloni from several foreign leaders.
"My congratulations to my great friend Giorgia Meloni, from today at the helm of the longest-serving government in post-war Italian history", Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote in Italian on X. “I care deeply about our relationship, which is always sincere, and I admire his determination to keep Europe safe and make it more prosperous, goals we share,” he added.
"Congratulations to my friend Giorgia Meloni for leading the longest-serving government in the post-war history of the Italian Republic. Many thanks to Italy for being a great ally in NATO", the general secretary of NATO, Mark Rutte, also wrote on social media.
"Giorgia, I read that from today you are at the helm of the longest-serving government in the history of the Italian Republic. But really? I had gotten badly used to changing interlocutor in Rome almost at the same time as AC Milan's coach changes", the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, joked on X.
"Congratulations to Giorgia Meloni for a historic achievement: leading the longest-serving government in the history of the Italian Republic. Political stability is important. Leadership is important", declared the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša.
"Heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for this extraordinary achievement: leading the longest-serving government in the history of the Italian Republic. This result testifies not only to her dedication and leadership, but above all to the lasting trust of the Italian people", was the tweet from Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
