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Italy has had dozens of governments since World War II, and as such, is used to political crises. However, the current crisis between the political parties is developing differently as the future of Mario Draghi as the leader of the state is at the center of the discussion.
Draghi offered his resignation last week, after the coalition’s partner party Five Star Movement boycotted an important vote in the Senate. But the Italian president has not accepted Draghi’s resignation, at least until now.
Draghi is not a politician, and during his 17 months in the prime minister’s office at the head of an unusual “national unity” government, he has earned the status of a leader in Western Europe for his support of Ukraine and numerous attempts to carry out reforms. economic.
The outcome of the debate in the legislature, which takes place on Wednesday, will help determine whether Draghi will remain in power.
Unlike many past political crises in Italy, in which citizens have surrendered, this time many Italians are asking Draghi to continue his work.
If Draghi is unable to revive the coalition, early elections may follow.
Why is this Government different?
Italian President Sergio Mattarella has mandated Draghi, former head of the European Central Bank, to form a government of “national unity” in February 2021 to help revive the Italian economy after the coronavirus pandemic.
Draghi has taken over the leadership of the Prime Minister from Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, who left the office as he tried to operationalize the vaccination program against COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Draghi leads an unusual coalition, as it also includes parties that fight among themselves: the right, the center, the left, as well as the Five Star Movement, which left him alone in the July 14 vote.
Bad time
This crisis comes at a crucial time – for Italy and Europe. High inflation and high energy prices are punishing consumers and industry.
Draghi has positioned himself as one of the big supporters of Europe’s aid to Ukraine, as the latter faces the war launched by Russia.
After political difficulties for British leader Boris Johnson and French president Emmanuel Macron, as well as the noted absence of German leader Angela Merkel across the continent, Draghi has emerged as a credible and authoritative voice in Europe.
He also worked on the reforms requested by the European Union, as a condition for the allocation of 200 billion dollars for recovery from the pandemic.
What is expected to happen?
Wednesday is a very important day. Mattarela has invited Draghi to appear before the parliament and explain why he wants to resign.
Lawmakers then make their positions known in the debate. While other coalition parties are expected to ask Draghi to stay in office, the Five Star Movement, damaged by party departures, is expected to have a wavering stance.
Draghi himself has said that he will not govern without his populists in the coalition.
Confidence?
Draghi’s government did not aim for a vote of confidence. But legislators from the parties in the coalition can propose such motions to guarantee discipline.
If something like this fails, Draghi’s departure becomes almost inevitable.
Calls to stay
An online petition calling “Draghi, stay” was launched by former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and has so far secured over 100,000 signatures.
Hundreds of citizens and political leaders held pro-Draghi marches in Rome, Milan and other cities on Monday.
About 1,000 leaders of rival political parties have signed an open letter asking Draghi to stay in office.
Other lobbying centers, including a group of doctors worried about leadership at a time of new coronavirus outbreaks, have positioned themselves for Draghi with cries of “please stay.”
Draghi’s choice
Even without the Five Star Movement, Draghi can easily secure a majority in the legislature.
But Draghi – whose strategy saved the euro from collapse a decade ago when he was in charge of the European Central Bank – has decided that although he has the numbers in his favor in parliament, he may run out of patience as the result of quarrels between the coalition partners.
What if Draghi leaves?
If Draghi makes his resignation irreversible, the next step belongs to Mattarella.
He can ask someone to form the coalition, but Draghi is already forming the third government from the current parliamentary composition, formed in 2018.
It is more likely that the president will dissolve Parliament and that new elections will be held by September.
The mandate of the current legislature expires in March next year, so the elections would not be far away anyway.
Such an action could be in the interest of the extreme right, the Eurosceptics, the Brothers of Italy, as polls show that the party can get the most votes and that its leader, Giorgia Meloni, will take the position of prime minister./REL
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