Who to succeed Sergio Mattarella? The Italian Parliament is preparing to elect a new President of the Republic this Monday, January 24. A prestigious position for which Prime Minister Mario Draghi appears to be in the best position as part of a game of musical chairs threatening the survival of the executive. On the right, Silvio Berlusconi, 85, will also be a candidate.
While behind the scenes are buzzing with negotiations, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been the most aggressive in his campaign, going so far as to brag about his sulfurous “bunga bunga” evenings.
The 85-year-old billionaire has long dreamed of a seven-year term under the gold of the Quirinal Palace, even if observers doubt that he has the necessary votes. It is notoriously difficult to predict the winner of this election by secret ballot, a voting system conducive to twists and turns.
The president, whose role is essentially ceremonial, nevertheless exercises considerable power in the event of a political crisis, whether it involves dissolving parliament, choosing the prime minister or refusing mandates to fragile coalitions.
And Italy needs stability more than ever: the parties belonging to the disparate coalition supporting Draghi are already in battle order for next year’s legislative elections. And the chaos could endanger the music of the Italian wheel of the post-Covid European recovery plan.
Other names circulating in the press include former Prime Minister Giuliano Amato (83, centrist), European Commissioner for the Economy Paolo Gentiloni (67, left), and former President of the Chamber of Deputies Pier Ferdinando Casini (66 years old, centrist).
However, many also want a woman to take over the top job for the first time: in this case, the presidency could go to Justice Minister Marta Cartabia (58, centre-right) or her predecessor Paola Severino ( 73 years old, center-right), without forgetting the president of the Senate Elisabetta Casellati (66 years old, right).