Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition government, which took office in October 2022, became the country's longest-serving cabinet since World War II on Friday. While this political stability has boosted Italy's appeal to international investors, former Prime Ministers Paolo Gentiloni and Mario Monti told CNBC that more economic reforms are needed. Italy's economy grew by 0.5% in 2025, below the euro area average of 1.5%, with youth unemployment at 18.9% in July. Monti suggested Meloni has avoided confrontations that could modernize the economy but cost political consensus, while Gentiloni noted a slowdown in economic rebound.