Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician who has served as Prime Minister of Italy since October 22, 2022, leading a centre-right coalition and heading the Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia) party.

She rose from local youth politics to the highest office in the country, becoming the first woman to hold Italy’s premiership — a milestone that capped decades of activism and political organizing.

Early life and background

Giorgia Meloni was born on 15 January 1977 in Rome, and grew up in the working-class Garbatella neighbourhood. Her modest upbringing, family challenges, and early exposure to political debates helped shape a combative, media-savvy political style.

Political beginnings

Meloni became politically active as a teenager, joining the youth wing of the Italian Social Movement (MSI) and later moving through centre-right formations including National Alliance and The People of Freedom (PdL). She entered national politics when elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2006, and served in Silvio Berlusconi’s fourth government as Minister for Youth from 2008 to 2011 — experiences that gave her national visibility and organizational credence.

Founding Brothers of Italy and steady climb

In December 2012 Meloni co-founded Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia, FdI), a party born from the post-national-conservative tradition and named for a phrase in the national anthem. Under her leadership the party gradually built credibility in the conservative electorate, emphasizing family values, national sovereignty, stricter immigration controls, and economic policies aimed at small businesses. Over successive elections FdI grew from a small movement into the largest single party in the Italian right by 2022.

From opposition leader to prime minister

Meloni’s rise to the premiership was rapid after the 2022 general election, in which the right-wing coalition won a parliamentary majority. Her ability to unite different conservative strands — from moderate conservatives to nationalist voters — and her savvy communication style translated into broad electoral appeal. On 22 October 2022 she was sworn in as Italy’s prime minister, the first woman ever to lead the Italian government, marking a historic moment in the country’s post-war politics.

Political platform and ideology

Observers describe Meloni and FdI as national-conservative and right-wing; the party emphasizes traditional family structures, national sovereignty, tougher immigration policies, and skepticism toward deeper European federal integration. Meloni frames her politics as patriotic and pro-family, combining social conservatism with pro-business measures targeted at reviving growth through deregulation and tax incentives for small enterprises. Critics, however, have raised concerns about elements of the party’s origins and rhetoric; debates about history, symbolism, and where to place FdI on the ideological spectrum remain active in Italian public life.

Domestic priorities and governance

As prime minister, Meloni’s government has prioritized issues such as economic recovery, support for families and businesses, public security, and administrative simplification. Her cabinet has also focused on measures to curb illegal immigration and accelerate public investment in infrastructure. The government has often taken a pragmatic line in many policy areas, balancing conservative social priorities with the demands of governing a complex, modern European country.

Foreign policy and Europe

Meloni has positioned Italy as Atlanticist and pro-NATO, while remaining cautious about deeper European political integration. Her government emphasizes national control over immigration rules and fiscal decisions, advocating for a “Europe of sovereign nations” rather than a federal union. At the same time, Meloni has sought to maintain constructive relations with key EU partners and transatlantic allies, recognizing the geopolitical importance of Italy within Europe and the Mediterranean region.

Controversies and public debate

Meloni’s political career has not been without controversy. Critics and opponents frequently point to the historical roots of some of the movements that fed into FdI and have questioned whether her party has entirely broken with post-fascist currents in Italian politics. Meloni and her team have consistently rejected allegations that FdI is extremist, insisting the party is a mainstream conservative force. Her uncompromising rhetoric on issues such as migration and national identity has both energized supporters and provoked widespread debate.

Recent political standing

As of late 2025, Meloni’s leadership remains central to Italy’s political landscape. Regional election results and national polling in 2024–2025 have both affirmed and tested the governing coalition’s support in different parts of the country. In September 2025, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy saw a notable win in the Marche regional election, a result analysts said reinforced her standing ahead of future national contests.

Personal life and public image

Meloni is a mother, publicly Catholic, and uses family and faith as recurring themes in her public narrative. Her carefully crafted public persona combines direct, unsparing rhetoric with a polished media approach; she is often described as one of the most effective conservative communicators in contemporary Europe. Her personal life — including a relationship and the birth of a daughter — has at times been discussed in Italian media, but Meloni has emphasized the primacy of her public commitments and political agenda.

Legacy and what to watch next

Giorgia Meloni’s path from a youth activist to Italy’s first female prime minister is a story of organizational skill, messaging, and steady electoral strategy. Looking ahead, observers will be watching how she manages inflation and growth, navigates EU relations, responds to migration pressures in the Mediterranean, and prepares her party and coalition for the next national elections. Her ability to govern pragmatically while holding to ideological priorities will shape Italy’s political trajectory in the coming years.

Conclusion

Giorgia Meloni’s biography is the account of a politician who combined grassroots activism, party-building, and media savvy to reach the apex of Italian politics. Her premiership represents both a symbolic breakthrough for women in Italian public life and a consequential shift in the balance of political power in Italy. Whether one agrees with her politics or not, Meloni’s influence on Italy’s 21st-century politics is indisputable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When and where was Giorgia Meloni born?

Giorgia Meloni was born on 15 January 1977 in Rome, Italy.

What party does Giorgia Meloni lead?

She leads the Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia, FdI), which she co-founded in 2012 and which became the main party on the Italian right by 2022.

When did she become Italy’s prime minister?

Meloni was sworn in as prime minister on 22 October 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the office.

What are Giorgia Meloni’s main political positions?

Meloni’s platform emphasizes national sovereignty, family values, tougher immigration controls, incentives for small businesses, and a cautious stance toward EU federalism.

Is Giorgia Meloni considered far-right?

Observers and scholars describe FdI across a spectrum from national-conservative to right-wing populist; some critics label elements of the movement as far-right or post-fascist because of historical links, while Meloni presents the party as mainstream conservative.