By Silvia Marchetti
ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s head of state Sergio Mattarella has summoned former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi following the failure of party talks aimed at exiting the ongoing political crisis, with Mattarella likely to task Draghi with forming a new ruling majority.
“A fully operative government, able to address challenges, rather than a government functioning to a minimum capacity” is paramount in the fight against COVID-19 and in defining a clear plan to deploy European direct aid before Italy loses the opportunity to use the funds, said Mattarella after meeting on Tuesday with lower house leader Roberto Fico.
Fico, who was handed on Friday an explorative mandate to vet the stability of the current ruling coalition, delivered a ‘no-deal’ result, saying there were no common grounds among the Democrats, the 5 Stars and the minor Italia Viva party to keep ruling coalition together up to 2023.
In an attempt to avoid the risk of an early vote during a pandemic, Mattarella made an “appeal to all political forces” to come together and form a stable, high-level emergency cabinet. The appeal, as opposed to last week when party talks were restricted just to ruling coalitions allies, is now open to all groups in parliament including the opposition Lega, Forza Italia and Fratelli d’Italia.
Mattarella said he would be tasking a high-level figure with the mandate to form a new governing majority. Shortly after his speech, the presidential palace spokesperson announced the head of state has summoned Wednesday morning Mario Draghi.
Draghi’s name had been mentioned as a potential successor to outgoing premier Giuseppe Conte, who was ousted by former ally Matteo Renzi when he triggered the political crisis a few weeks go.
The former ECB chief was seen arriving in Rome earlier on Tuesday while party talks were still under way. Renzi has already openly supported Draghi as Italy’s next premier. Draghi will have two options: accept Mattarella’s mandate or turn it down. Were he to accept the task, Draghi could still turn out to be unsuccessful if a stable alliance between parties isn’t found.
If Draghi’s mission is accomplished, Italy’s next government would be a cabinet of national unity headed by a technocrat but supported by a wide alliance between political groups.