Meloni seeks to reassure in first speech as Italy PM

New Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni outlined her programme for government, reaffirming her support for the EU, NATO and Ukraine and presenting herself as a steady hand to guide her country through turbulent times.

One month after her far-right Brothers of Italy party won general elections, Meloni used her inaugural speech to parliament to seek to allay concerns she will guide the eurozone's third largest economy down a radical new path.

"Italy is fully part of Europe and the Western world," the 45-year-old told the lower house, adding that it would "continue to be a reliable partner of NATO in supporting Ukraine."

Meloni, who was sworn in as Italy's first woman premier, denied accusations she would restrict civil rights and said she had "never felt sympathy or closeness to undemocratic regimes... including Fascism."

Meloni strongly backs EU sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine, but her coalition ally Silvio Berlusconi last week was recorded defending his old friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Italy was heavily dependent on Russian gas before the war and is currently battling soaring inflation, fuelled by sky-high energy bills, which risks sparking a recession next year.

Meloni said the country was "in the midst of a storm."

The new government won a vote of confidence in the lower house of parliament after Meloni's speech, which was followed by another in the Senate.