Giorgia Meloni and her allies take power in Italy

arrived at the presidential palace in Rome on October 21st as leader of the Brothers of Italy (d) party and in her own car, a sassy little Fiat 500. She left in a sleek grey Audi limousine as —the first woman to assume that role since the birth of the Italian state in 1861.Ms Meloni’s cabinet, which she announced shortly after her appointment by the president, Sergio Mattarella, was sworn in on October 22nd. The lineup represents several important early victories over her main coalition partners, the veteran former prime minister, , and the leader of the Northern League, Matteo Salvini. Ms Meloni named as her justice minister Carlo Nordio, a retired prosecutor and a member of her hard-right party. The 86-year-old Mr Berlusconi, who is on trial accused of bribing witnesses, had battled unsuccessfully to steer the portfolio to a trusted member of his own party, Forza Italia.