Contrary to expectations of radical change, Giorgia Meloni has maintained stability by avoiding major actions that could upset the public or her coalition. This calculated lack of activity is a key reason for her government's endurance in a typically volatile political landscape.
The unreliability of Germany's national rail service is so widespread and well-known that it has become a socially acceptable, no-questions-asked excuse for being late. This shared misery has created an ironic social lubricant, as nearly everyone has personally experienced the problem.
The chronic lateness of Germany's long-distance trains has shattered the nation's self-image of efficiency and punctuality. For many Germans, the rail system's decline is a tangible, daily reminder of a broader national malaise and a loss of faith in the state's ability to function effectively.
Prime Minister Meloni's government has benefited from a massive influx of cash from a previous administration's home improvement scheme and EU recovery funds. This "tidal wave of money" has propped up the economy, masking a lack of growth and potential future vulnerabilities.