Italy Elects First Female Prime Minister

Giorgia Meloni has been elected as the first female Prime Minister of Italy.

This comes after the far-right politician officially asked the President for the right to form a government, Dailymail reported.

Meloni and her post-fascist Brothers of Italy party emerged the winners of last month’s election, but – short of an overall majority.

She has now formed Italy’s most right-wing government since Benito Mussolini after negotiating a coalition with allies including Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia.

The 45-year-old went to the Quirinal Palace Friday morning to tell President Sergio Mattarella that negotiations were over and she is ready to form an administration.

Her coalition partners are Silvio Berlusconi and Matteo Salvini, leader of anti-migrant League party.

Her election comes after a turbulent time in Italian politics as messy coalitions formed and fell apart before technocrat Mario Draghi was appointed to take control of the economy until an election could be held.

Summing up the reason for Ms Meloni’s election last month, one exasperated pensioner told journalists: ‘She’s the only one we haven’t tried yet – which means she’s the only one yet to fail.’

But Meloni’s success is far from assured. She staunchly backs Ukraine in its war with Russia, but coalition partners Mr Berlusconi and Matteo Salvini – leader of the Lega Nord party – have voiced sympathies for Putin.