Elsa Fornero (born 7 May 1948) is an Italian economist, university lecturer, and politician who served as Minister of Labour and Social Policies in the Monti Cabinet from November 2011 to April 2013.

[12] On 16 November 2011, Fornero was appointed Minister of Labour, Social Policies, and Gender Equality, replacing Maurizio Sacconi.

[5][13] Fornero assumed the role of minister in the Monti government, boasting twenty years of experience in the study of public pension systems.

In a moment of serious financial crisis, Fornero approved a pension reform program twenty days after she was appointed minister.

[15] Fornero was accused by many journalists, media, and politicians belonging to opposition parties of acting with a snobbish attitude towards the problems of common people during the economic crisis.

[18][19][20] In December 2011, shortly after her appointment to the government post, Fornero cried publicly while presenting new austerity measures.

In 2012, Silvia was criticized for teaching genetics at the same university where both her parents worked, as well as for managing a fund operated by Intesa Sanpaolo, whose vice president at the time was her mother.