The main question is: does Italy have a government? The truth is: not anymore. It鈥檚 the way of Italian politics.
Giuseppe Conte led the country through the year of the pandemic, but he didn鈥檛 make it through 2021. After only a few weeks into the new year, Conte鈥檚 leadership lost the confidence of the Parliament and Senate. Without enough votes, his executive fell.
The technical executive in Italian politics
With elections out of the question (at least for the time being), Italy鈥檚 rules allow for a 鈥渢echnical鈥� government. It鈥檚 an emergency procedure and it鈥檚 supposed to be above the partisan divisions. The 鈥渢ecnici鈥� are experts in fieldsd such as finance, current affairs, and Italian politics. They are not career politicians. In this emergency action, the Italian President chooses the leader.
It鈥檚 a transitional government designed to take care of important, administrative tasks. In the meantime, the parties are having talks to find coalitions and build a new executive. The leader of this technical government is Mario Draghi, the former European Central Bank chief -also known as 鈥淪uper Mario.鈥�
Enter Mario Draghi
The Guardian , 鈥淚taly鈥檚 president, Sergio Mattarella, was desperate to appoint someone with the authority to lead the country out of deep recession and counter the euro-scepticism of parties of the right.鈥�
How has Italy鈥檚 own super hero doing in the chaos of Italian politics?
He has been busy with talks, chatting with politicians from every side and belief. At the beginning of February, Draghi had a break through. The The populist 5-Star Movement and the rightwing League party said they鈥檇 support a 鈥淪uper Mario鈥� government, not just a technical one. Other parties, such as the Democratic’s, had already supported it. For the interest and the future of Italy, they all claim.
However, this is no 100% guarantee. Of anything, really. Before any decision is made, the political coalitions have to talk -and talk some more. It鈥檚 still the negotiation phase, during which everyone has requests and few solutions. The political parties have to support an executive by Draghi, even if it鈥檚 only technical. If it鈥檚 not, and Super Mario becomes the Prime Minister, he needs to have every ounce of help possible.
Otherwise, the risk is the same old tale of Italian politics. The government falls and the chitchat starts once again. The same old story, indeed.
Enter, a new executive
The news is official: Mario Draghi is the new Prime Minister. While he builds his government, Conte bids goodbye.
Do you want to learn more about Italian politics? Check out our 鈥淚talian Politics for Dummies鈥� article!
