By Silvia Marchetti
ROME (MaceNews) – The appointment by parliament of Italy’s next head of state is likely to raise political tensions as parties seek a deal on the successor, with rising speculation that current premier Mario Draghi could be taking over the role, according to ruling coalition sources.
Officials argued that coming weeks will be crucial in defining an agreement over who will replace outgoing 80-year-old president Sergio Mattarella for the next seven years, and that such deal required the largest possible majority – including the opposition – to avoid multiple voting sessions that could hamper key parliament work.
“It’s hard to make any sort of prediction at the moment, it will be a rather last-minute decision but one thing is certain: the appointment of Mattarella’s successor will favor Draghi’s cabinet continuity in policy and in the special relationship between government and presidential palace, which is crucial in guaranteeing political stability”, said a source.
Mattarella has ruled-out his availability for a second mandate, and there’s a very slim chance he might temporarily accept to rule until the next general vote in 2023.
Whether Draghi might be willing to take over, and what this could entail with regards to government stability, is a top concern of all ruling parties comprising Draghi’s ‘emergency cabinet of national unity’ created less than a year ago to address the pandemic challenge and steer Italy out of its worst-ever secession.
“We all pretty much want to keep ruling with Draghi until the end of this 5-year legislature in 2023, Draghi has proven to be the right man able to accelerate the vaccination campaign and speedily define the post-pandemic European aid scheme”, said a source from the League party.
“His credibility on the global and European stage, and the benefits it has brought to Italy’s debt cost and market stability, must not be interrupted. And let’s face it: Draghi has done the ‘impossible’ by succeeding in keeping together so many different parties of left and right wing that have always been political enemies. Such fragile balance cannot be broken”.
Another reason why all parties fear an early vote is due to a recent law which has reduced the number of deputies and won’t allow their re-election.
The European Central Bank’s former chief has so far declined to openly comment on the chance, or on his availability, in becoming Italy’s next head of state. However, ruling coalition sources noted the importance of the “strong relationship and cooperation” between him and Mattarella, given that Draghi was mandated as premier directly by the president.
Sources ruled out the risk of an early vote should Draghi accept Italy’s top constitutional role for it would trigger political mayhem at a tough time as the country is hit by a fourth COVID wave and the recovery is still very weak, suggesting that there would be an “in-house solution”. Current economy minister Daniele Franco could substitute Draghi in a sort of ‘relay race’.
“Franco and Draghi are very close, they have the same background and curriculum, both come from the Bank of Italy and the two jointly supervise over the special centralized committee set-up to efficiently monitor the adoption of key post-pandemic investments and EU aid”, said an official.
Placing Draghi’s closest ‘man’ at the helm of the government while he moves over to the presidential palace would further boost Italy’s role on the global stage and guarantee a speedy implementation of pro-growth projects and structural reforms.
Sources noted there is another key factor to bear in mind were Draghi to actually be appointed as president.
It is not yet clear what Draghi’s plans for the future are, whether or not he’ll abandon the political stage at the 2023 general elections, while ruling as head of state for another seven full years ensures institutional stability and a strong supervision over new laws and reforms.
There is also the chance that a ‘new’ political figure might be appointed as Mattarella’s successor though this option might require more political maneuvering to come up with a candidate that pleases, and is supported by, all parties sitting in parliament, particularly those within the ruling coalition.
Other potential candidates include former European commission chief Romano Prodi, Gianni Letta (secretary of state in Silvio Berlusconi’s cabinets), ex Lower House leader Pier Ferdinando Casini and even current EC economics affairs commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, though sources argued it’s highly unlikely the latter would be willing to cut short his top-ranking job in Bruxelles.
Contact this reporter: silvia@macenews.com
Content may appear first or exclusively on the Mace News premium service. For real-time delivery contact tony@macenews.com. Twitter headlines @macenewsmacro.