Giorgia Meloni broke barriers as Italy’s first female prime minister, a feat indicative of her rise in European politics. Indeed, her powerful policies and growing popularity have also earned her the title of the “most influential person in Europe” in the annual ranking by Politico.
Since taking office in 2022, Meloni has transformed from an activist in the Italian Social Movement into a key player on the European stage. Controversies apart, her hardline stances have only ensured that Italy remains one of the most stable countries in post-war Europe. “Who do you call if you want to speak to Europe? If you’re Elon Musk–the world’s richest man–the number you dial belongs to Giorgia Meloni,” says Politico.
Before she came to power, Meloni was a vocal champion of a greater Italy. Initially regarded as an “ultranationalist,” her words carried little weight. Within ten years, she became a vital contact for both Brussels and Washington. Predictions of instability in her Brothers of Italy-led coalition government have come to naught, with Meloni keeping her coalition united for over two years, making Italy a beacon of stability in a wider Europe beset by uncertainty.
Meloni is acutely aware of her public image. One notable exchange with Campania region President Vincenzo De Luca, who called her a “stronza”-bitch-revealed how she can take a punch. She responded humorously, embracing the comment and presenting herself as a straight-talking alpha. While concerns linger about her far-right policies undermining civil liberties, she has reassured European partners and positioned herself as a key player in the thorny migration challenge through strategic agreements with North African nations.
