By Silvia Marchetti
ROME (MaceNews) – Chances are rising that Prime Minister Mario Draghi will be Italy’s next head of state as parties start talks to reach a deal over the appointment, according to ruling coalition sources, even if it will be a “last-minute decision”.
On Tuesday, lower house President Roberto Fico is expected to announce the date for the parliamentary election, which is likely to take place between January 22 and 24. The Senate and the lower house members will unite for a joint vote, alongside regional representatives. On February 3 the mandate of current head of state Sergio Mattarella will expire, and the over-80 former constitutional judge has made it clear he’s not available for a second mandate.
“Draghi is by far the right choice as Italy’s next head of state, he’s the only one who can garner such a wide consensus and assure political stability for another seven years, and why not, even 14, at the presidential palace”, said an official.
In his year-end speech, Draghi was less ambiguous regarding his future. He clearly stated he was at the service of the institutions, thus open to any kind of appointment, and that as premier he had consolidated the government’s work for at least up to 2023, when the next general vote is scheduled, by laying out the post-pandemic recovery plan and speeding up the vaccination campaign.
Italy will be receiving soon more money from Brussels for pro-growth investments, and has just cleared an ambitious budget plan worth E32 billion.
“Draghi has made it clear that it doesn’t matter who succeeds him in his role as premier, for the roadmap ahead has already been defined. His job is done. In this way, he openly expressed his availability for Italy’s highest institutional appointment,” said another source.
“Europe, and the entire world, is cheering for him, and this is something no party can overlook. Draghi’s success stems from his credibility and many achievements on the global stage.”
Sources argued that weeks ahead will be critical, as not all ruling parties agree on Draghi’s nomination as president. While the League is open to another prime minister, thus endorsing Draghi’s move to the presidential palace, right-wing Forza Italia is pushing for the — highly unlikely — appointment of former premier Silvio Berlusconi.
There are other candidates, too, and some civil society groups call for the appointment of a woman, which would be a first for Italy.
According to sources, were Draghi to leave his role and become president he’d be handing over power to a minister or technocrat close to him, most likely current Finance Minister Daniele Franco who directly handles the pandemic recovery fund investments. Draghi is bound to continue monitoring government action from the presidential palace.
Mattarella’s end-of-term comes at a turning point in Italy’s institutional history. Even though Italy is not a presidential republic like France and the head of state has so far had limited powers, in recent years his role has strengthened as political parties faced crisis.
The president has proved a key player in steering the country out of several political deadlocks, not just through moral suasion but concrete actions, argued an official. Back in 2011, then head of state Roberto Napolitano pushed Berlusconi to resign following a series of scandals. Last year Mattarella appointed Draghi as ’emergency premier’ after the ruling Democrat and 5 Stars parties proved unsuccessful in exiting a stalemate that could have worsened the pandemic emergency.
“In a year or so Italy’s 5-year legislature will come to its natural end, and Draghi will have an enormous power in holding post-vote party talks and in subsequently appointing a next premier and team of ministers that must hold the required majority to ensure political stability”, said the official.
Sources argued there is another key reason why ruling coalition parties “must eventually converge” on Draghi as Mattarella’s successor.
“If these parties today rule alongside Draghi in this national unity cabinet created to handle the pandemic emergency, which is still ongoing, if they have a row over the (presidential) appointment this will inevitably have repercussions on the government itself and lead to the risk of a political crisis,” warned an official.