Italy elects its first female prime minister

Giorgia Meloni is set to become Italy’s first female prime minister. The elections, which took place some six months early after Draghi’s government collapsed in July, came at a crucial time for Europe as it faces Russia’s war in Ukraine and the related soaring energy costs that have hit ordinary Italians’ pocketbooks as well as industry. She would be holding the post at a time when it’s still in recovery mode. The prime minister of Italy is the head of the Council of Ministers, which holds effective executive power in the Italian government.