New Italian government sworn in: who got the key positions?

Giorgia Meloni is Italy’s first female prime minister

The right-wing politician Giorgia Meloni officially becomes Italy’s first female prime minister, ANSA reported. This happened after she was sworn in on Oct. 22.

The transfer of power by outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi to Meloni took place at Rome’s Palazzo Chigi, and the first cabinet meeting had been also planned.

Meloni has already announced the list of ministers of her government. According to LaPresse, it includes 24 ministers, six of whom are women. 

Composition of Italy’s new government

Nine ministers from the Fratelli d’Italia party, led by Giorgia Meloni, will be at the top of the government. Also five ministers from Forza Italia and Lega right parties.

• Prime Minister, Head of Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni;
• Deputy Prime Minister, Alfredo Mantovano;
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani (Deputy Prime Minister);
• Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini (Deputy Prime Minister);
• Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi;
• Minister of Economic Development Adolfo Urso;
• Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio;
• Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto;
• Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti;
• Minister of Agriculture and Food Francesco Lollobrigida;
• Minister of Labor and Social Policy Marina Elvira Calderone;
• Minister of Education Giuseppe Valditara;
• Minister of Universities Annamaria Bernini;
• Minister of Culture Gennaro Sanjuliano;
• Minister of Health Orazio Scillaci;
• Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanche.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Giorgia Meloni on her position as Prime Minister of Italy. He posted his statement on his Twitter.

“Greetings to Giorgia Meloni, the first woman in the position of Prime Minister of Italy. I wish the new government a successful response to all the current challenges. I look forward to continued fruitful cooperation in ensuring peace and prosperity in Ukraine, Italy, and the world!”, Zelensky wrote.

Italy’s support of Ukraine has been essential for both sides. For Ukraine, it is the supply of weapons and humanitarian aid, and for Italy, it is a sign of Europe’s unity on the way to energy independence from Russia in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Moscow’s geopolitical tensions with Europe, and an attempt to use its energy supply as an influence tool. 

Meloni also commented on Berlusconi’s criticism towards Zelensky, saying that “anyone who joins her government should be fully aligned with the West in countering Putin’s war,” AP wrote.