Italy: former ECB chief Draghi to form new government

During the government crisis in Italy, President Mattarella offered the former head of the European Central Bank, Draghi, a mandate to form a cabinet. Draghi had signaled possible approval, he said in Rome.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has entrusted Mario Draghi with the formation of the government. The former head of the European Central Bank (ECB) is supposed to form a government of national unity. As said from Rome, the president wanted to make a statement shortly. Draghi has signaled possible approval, he said. The 73-year-old wants to see if he can find a majority in parliament for a new government.

Draghi certainly only has the support of the small Italia Viva party. Renzi has struck up a conversation with the former head of the ECB several times in the past. But the Democratic Party and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia are also seen as potential supporters of the prominent banker. The five-star movement, the largest parliamentary group, has announced that it does not want to support Draghi. Matteo Salvini’s right wing League wants new elections.

Mattarella does not want new elections

Mattarella hopes that a government of experts led by Draghi, the so-called technocratic government, will obtain the necessary support from the parties to lift the country from the crown and the economic crisis. If this is not successful, the alternative would be a new election in June at the latest. Mattarella wants to avoid that in the midst of the crisis.

Draghi will succeed the resigned Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, whose coalition of the five-star movement, the Democratic Party and Italia Viva dissolved in the dispute over the distribution of EU crown aid. Former Prime Minister Renzi, who has meanwhile been dubbed “Il Rottamore” – “The Destroyer” – withdrew his Italia Viva party from the Contes coalition in mid-January. Conte then resigned on January 26.

With information from Jörg Seisselberg, ARD-Studio Rome