- Paul Kirby
- BBC News
7 hours ago
Draghi appointed to lead the recovery in Italy following the Corona epidemic
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has submitted his resignation following the populist Five Star Movement, a partner in the ruling coalition, withdrew its support in a confidence vote.
Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank, has led a government of national unity since February 2021.
He said in a statement that the confidence agreement that supported the national unity government is over.
However, the Italian president refused to accept his resignation.
President Sergio Mattarella had appointed Draghi to lead Italy’s recovery following the coronavirus pandemic and lift the country out of endemic instability. Now President Draghi has called on Parliament to present a clear picture of the political situation.
The impact of President Mattarella’s intervention was not fully clear. Draghi is expected to go to parliament next Wednesday, and with sufficient support he can remain in office.
The extraordinary developments in Rome capped a day of drama sparked by Five Star leader Giuseppe Conte when he refused to support a €23 billion government economic aid package for families and businesses, arguing that Draghi was not doing enough to tackle the cost of living crisis.
picture released, EPA
Giuseppe Conte’s party says the government’s economic package is insufficient to tackle a looming social crisis
Although the government comfortably won Thursday’s vote in the Senate with the help of other parties, the man nicknamed “Super Mario” has repeatedly warned that without “five-star” support, the government cannot continue.
Draghi paid an hour-long first visit to President Mattarella. After considering his future, he issued a statement of resignation.
Draghi said: “Today’s vote in Parliament is very important from a political point of view. The majority of national unity that supported this government since its inception no longer exists.” After addressing the ministers, he returned to the Quirinale Palace to present his resignation to the President. To avoid the photographers’ lenses, he did not use the main gate.
Elections are already scheduled for early 2023. If the government collapses, voting is likely to take place this fall. Several right-wing parties are keen for early elections, but a period of political uncertainty will jeopardize Italy’s efforts to tackle a looming energy crisis and pass next year’s budget to secure EU funding.
Until the Senate vote, attempts were made to resolve the coalition crisis. The Milan stock market fell 3.4% as nervousness spread among investors in the eurozone’s third largest economy.
Earlier, EU Economics Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni – himself a former Italian prime minister – said the EU executive was watching developments in Rome with “worried amazement”. The head of the Italian industry group Confindustria said the decision of the “Five Stars” movement showed “total irresponsibility”.
picture released, Archyde.com
Giorgia Meloni and other leaders of the right await early elections
The Five Star Movement was originally the largest party in the coalition, but has seen a series of defections and a decline in support. The movement’s former leader, Luigi Di Maio, accused it of following a plan to overthrow the Draghi government to revive its support, while dragging Italy into economic and social collapse.
Parties across the political spectrum have been keeping an eye on next year’s general elections, especially the right. Matteo Salvini of the far-right League and Georgia Meloni of the Brotherhood of Italy are vying to lead a potential right-wing coalition.
Meloni called an election, and immediately declared: “I am ready to govern.” Salvini said a period of political paralysis was unimaginable.
Left-wing politicians are less prepared for elections. Democratic Party Secretary Enrico Letta said the focus now must be on rebuilding a coalition in parliament so that the Draghi government can resume work.
