Italy’s far-right leader Giorgia Meloni sworn in as prime minister
- Meloni recited the ritual oath of office, pledging to be faithful to Italy’s post-war republic and to act ‘in the exclusive interests of the nation’
- Italy’s first female leader announced her Cabinet on Friday evening. Her Brothers of Italy party was the top vote-getter in last month’s national election
Giorgia Meloni, whose political party has neo-fascist roots, was sworn in on Saturday as Italy’s first far-right premier since the end of World War II.
Meloni, 45, took the oath of office before the Italian president at the presidential palace, becoming also the first woman to be the nation’s leader.
Her Brothers of Italy party was the top vote-getter in last month’s national election. Meloni announced her Cabinet on Friday evening. Her coalition allies include the right-wing League of Matteo Salvini and the conservative Forza Italia party headed by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
Meloni recited the ritual oath of office, pledging to be faithful to Italy’s post-war republic and to act “in the exclusive interests of the nation”. The pledge was signed by her and countersigned by President Sergio Mattarella, who, in his role as head of state, serves as guarantor of the Constitution, drafted in the years immediately after the end of war, which saw the demise of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Meloni’s 24 ministers followed, similarly swearing in. Five of the ministers are technocrats, not representing any party. Six of them are women.
