Giorgia Meloni has been sworn in as Italy’s first far-right female Prime Minister. 

On Saturday, Ms Meloni took the oath of office before Italian President Sergio Mattarella in a ceremony at the Quirinale Palace in Rome. 

Ms Meloni recited the ritual oath of office, pledging to act “in the exclusive interests of the nation.” 

Last month, her Brothers of Italy party won the national elections, receiving 26 per cent of the vote. In contrast, opposition parties, Forza Italia and the far-right League, received 8 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively. 

Ms Meloni has said that support for Europe and Nato would be a “cornerstone” of her government, adding that anyone who did not agree with her orientation could “not be part of the government, even if that means not making the government.”

Ms Meloni announced her cabinet on Friday evening. Her coalition allies include the right-wing League of Matteo Salvini and the Forza Italia party headed by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Giancarlo Giorgetti will serve as finance minister, while Antonio Tajani will be the foreign minister. Brothers of Italy co-founder Guido Crosetto, a defence industry expert, will serve as defence minister.

The 24 ministers appointed by Ms Meloni were sworn in as well. Five of the ministers are technocrats, not representing any party. Six of them are women.

Ms Meloni will head her first Cabinet meeting on Sunday as her government replaces the Mario Draghi-led administration. 

In July, Mr Draghi handed in his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella after the coalition government fell apart.