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One month following the end of Sergio Mattarella‘s term, there are still no clear clues as to who might succeed him
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The appointment is important for the political stability of the country and the reforms requested by the EU
This Friday Sergio Mattarella he plans to deliver his last speech as President of the Republic of Italy before the citizens. His term, which began in 2015, ends in February, and the octogenarian head of state, a veteran Christian Democrat with a brother assassinated by the Sicilian mafia, has already repeatedly made it known that he has no interest in reelection. The ‘hot potato’ will pass into the hands of the Parliament, the body that chooses presidents in Italy, and which is expected to begin voting in regarding three weeks – the exact date might be set next week – to elect a successor.
However, the certainties more or less end here. Because, despite the fact that the race to elect the new president began months ago and Italian newspapers have already made oceans of ink flow on the matter, the exact date is still unknown. candidate with greater possibilities to fill the position of Mattarella. As the Roman newspaper summarized it on Thursday The poster: the discussion is “at a standstill.” It is a “entanglement, for the moment, inextricable”, the Italian bishops commented from the pages of their newspaper. It almost seems that the parties are looking for a “Frankenstein” candidate, with their opposing requests, has opined the lawyer and journalist Giulia Merlo.
In fact, the much talked regarding (although never confirmed by the interested party) candidacy of Mario Draghi, the current Italian Prime Minister, has raised concerns for the stability of the current government and that what was promised for the implementation of the reforms requested by the European Union (EU). While the also aired name of Silvio Berlusconi It has sparked protests by those who remember that the elderly politician-tycoon embodied the worst part of Italy since his entry into politics in 1994, that of corruption scandals, objectified girls and outbursts with Brussels. In the same way, none of the proposals of possible women candidates seem, at the moment, to gather the necessary political majority that is needed to take over the position.
The referee of Italy
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The reason for such confusion is that, in Italian politics, the President of the Republic is a kind of referee. It is not in charge of managing the country on a daily basis, but the Constitution gives it great powers when, for example, there is political crises, since he is the one in charge of summoning elections, dissolve Parliament and appoint new governments. In addition, it also ensures that what is approved by the Executive is not unconstitutional and, without its signature, a law may not become such. Hence, the parties tend to lean towards consensus presidents, which, in poor words, means that prestigious people are usually sought, but who do not interfere too much, respect the balance of all interests at stake and, at the same time, be able to captain the ship when it has no rudder.
Mattarella is the living example of this. Constitutional judge, valued and discreet leader, the old politician firmly took the reins of the country every time that the cyclical wars of power in politics led to the fall of a government (a total of five governments succeeded each other during his seven years in office ). The last time was less than a year ago, when Mattarella was adamant regarding suggesting Draghi as prime minister. Although his hand did not tremble when making difficult decisions, such as when, in 2018, he rejected as Minister of Economy to Paolo Savona, a Eurosceptic economist close to the League of Matteo Salvini.
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Sergio Mattarella left or right
As Italy gears up to elect a new president in the coming weeks, the country is facing an impasse in its politics. With the current President Sergio Mattarella set to step down in February after his seven-year term comes to an end, there is no clear front-runner to succeed him [[1]]. The current situation is concerning, as it has severe implications for the country’s political stability and its relations with the European Union.
According to Italian law, Parliament is responsible for choosing presidents, and the elections are set to begin in three weeks, but the exact date is yet to be finalized. The newspapers have already made oceans of ink flow on the matter, discussing possible candidates and their pros and cons. Yet, no candidate has been able to gather the necessary consensus to win the required majority to become the president of Italy.
Furthermore, the future of Italian politics also depends on these elections. The names that have been circulated for possible candidatures include that of the current Prime Minister Mario Draghi, yet his premiership is vital to push forward the reforms asked by the European Union [[2]]. It is up to the Parliament now to make a meaningful decision and elect a candidate that fulfills Italy’s commitment to implementing reforms. In reality, the appointment of the new president is turning into an “entanglement, for the moment, inextricable,” as the Italian bishops have repeatedly pointed out.
As reflected by the words of the lawyer and journalist Giulia Merlo, the parties are taking a serious risk and might find in their path to Italian presidency a ‘Frankenstein’ candidate, who has opposing requests and not ideal to resolve such instability that faces Italian governance, to both the citizenry and the E.U.
No signs currently indicate women may be on the presidency path With none of many possible proposals showing signs that these would get political majority, questions and conflicts of the highest order may arise.
