After tension in the Italian Parliament, Mario Draghi announced his resignation. This was in July. And now we have just a month until Italy goes to the polls to elect a new leader.
While Draghi was only a caretaker Prime Minister, he still led the country through the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic crisis. Draghi steered the country through this hard time, bringing stability and recovery. However, after losing the support of his alliance, he handed in his resignation.
President Sergio Mattarella accepted his resignation and dissolved Parliament, calling for an election.
Why did Draghi resign?
Mario Draghi was only a caretaker Prime Minister. He was appointed in February 2021 so that Italy would not hold snap elections in a time of turmoil for the country. Italy has a history of coalition governments that don’t last very long.
Indeed, before Draghi, the government had only been in power since 2018. There have been six governments since 2011 when there could have been only two. The term of the Italian Parliament is five years. This is a number that none of the governments have been following. Many have compared the short lives of Italian governments to musical chairs. This time, after only 18 months, there will be another.
Draghi lost the support of the M5S in a vote of confidence in the government, over a month ago. Movimento 5 Stelle (5 Star Movement), does not seem to have only one ideology. It has supported some left wing issues such as basic income but has also supported some right wing issues.
The other parties who withdrew their support from Draghi included Forza Italia and Lega. They denied to give their vote of confidence to Draghi. As Draghi lost his alliance’s support he handed in his resignation to the president. He is staying on until a new Prime Minister is elected.
The resignation of Draghi brings to an end the 18-month term of Mario Draghi. It lays the path for a new government of Italy.
What is next for Italy?
The polls to choose Italy’s new government will open on September 25. The parties fighting the election include Forza Italia, Movimento 5 Stelle, The Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia), Lega to name but a few. However, Fratelli d’Italia is currently leading the polls.
In the most recent Politico poll (18 August), Fratelli d’Italia is ahead. This far right party is predicted to win 24% of the vote. The party is led by Giorgia Meloni. If she were to be elected, she would become Italy’s first female Prime Minister.
Meloni has worked hard to try to make them less extreme, but it does not change the fact. Seeing them elected would mean the return of a far right party in Italy for the first time since the Second World War.
There is no doubt that much hangs in the balance for Italy and for Europe. Having a far right leader could have important consequences for the country and for Europe, especially with a war in Ukraine.