After the resignation of Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Head of State Sergio Mattarella had to decide how to proceed in Italy’s politics. He had several options. Now the direction is clear.
Sergio Mattarella dissolved parliament by decree on Thursday evening.
(dpa) Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella ordered the dissolution of both chambers of parliament after the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi. He signed a corresponding decree, Mattarella said on Thursday evening in Rome.
This makes it clear: Italy will elect a new parliament earlier than planned. Actually, the elections would not have been due until spring 2023. “The dissolution of the parliamentary chamber is always the last choice,” said Mattarella. The political situation led to this decision.
In the middle of the holiday season, people in Italy will probably face restless election campaign weeks. The voting must be completed within 70 days. A possible election date is a Sunday in mid to late September or early October. Draghi’s government will remain in office until there is a new prime minister. When that will be is unclear. The coalition negotiations could drag on depending on the outcome of the election. Experts say a new government may not be in power until early November.
According to the latest polls, the right-wing extremist Fratelli d’Italia under party leader Giorgia Meloni are currently in the lead. Together with the large centre-right parties Forza Italia led by ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Matteo Salvini’s right-wing Lega, a majority in parliament might be possible. Such a government would probably be problematic for migration policy and relations with the EU, among other things.
Mattarella’s step had already been announced shortly beforehand with the convocation of the two Speakers of the Parliament, Maria Elisabetta Casellati (Senate) and Robert Fico (Chamber of Deputies), since he convened them on the basis of Article 88 of the Constitution, which deals with the dissolution of the two chambers . Earlier, Draghi offered his resignation to the 80-year-old Sicilian Mattarella.