Whilst delivering her annual Christmas address this week, things took a dark turn for Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.
The right-wing politician - who has served in the powerful position since October 2022, the first woman to do so - made an appearance on Tuesday (23 Dec), ahead of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
Her speech formed part of a yearly tradition by which Italy's leader is intended to issue a message of inspiration to her citizens.
Last year, for example, 48-year-old Meloni wished everyone a 'Merry Christmas', people who 'can’t be with their families' this festive, especially those working in essential services, like the armed forces, police, doctors and nurses.
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For her 2025 version, however, the mood started out slightly more sombre, predicting that the year to come will be considerably more turbulent than those gone by.
"The end of 2025 has been difficult for all of us," she began. "Don't worry, because next year will be much worse."
Meloni then went on to deal her fellow Italians with a rather unnerving warning: "So rest properly during these holidays, because we must continue to give answers to this extraordinary nation."
Though she didn't go into specifics, she could have been referencing structural problems in the country - like public finances, EU constraints and geopolitics, that could be set to intensify.
Meloni may also have been referring to tough reforms, budget pressure, and political battles expected to come.
These issues could themselves surround sustained military and financial support for Kyiv, rising domestic fatigue in Italy over aid, sanctions, and energy costs, as well as the risk of fractures inside NATO and the EU if unity is weakened in the coming year.
Her remarks came in the midst of government preparations for the country's final Cabinet meeting, where a long-awaited decree to authorise the sale of arms to Ukraine is up for discussion - a move the Northern League party is attempting to restrict.
Unsurprisingly, the remarks haven't gone down too well with onlookers around the world, many of whom argue that Meloni should have used her position to spark hope, not fear.
"Only a politician would say 'it's gonna get worse' and expect people to just... deal with it?" one X user noted. "How about a plan for improvement instead of pre-emptive doom-saying?"
Another demanded: "Is that supposed to be a threat?"
"Gurl which prime minister tells smtg like that," a third asked.
"Girl we know… but you didn’t have to say it," another agreed.
Others, however, appreciated the warning, with one hitting back: "Ok but at least she is honest, this decade has been shit so far...".
"She is so real for this," another also wrote.
Topics: World News, News, Politics
Rhianna Benson