The presidential elections in Italy, more important than usual

There are many reasons that make the presidential elections in Italy interesting again. But none like the candidacy of the very Silvio Berlusconi, who after leading four governments and with several court convictions behind him, returns to the arena of politics ready for anything.

It is true that his options are few, although the real question is whether the different parties in Parliament still need the former prime minister in one way or another.

“Berlusconi’s continued presence does not say anything good about Italian politics“, explains the Dean of the LUISS School of Government, Giovanni Orsina. “In other words, it tells us that politics is not capable of renewing itself and shows that it is totally unstructured. The institutions of this country are not capable of forming a new class of political leaders.”

Orsina also remembers how “Berlusconi wants to end his political career with a round of applause, having the whole country on his side willing to recognize his importance and there is no better way to do that than by being elected president of Italy”.

Unlike past elections, this time it seems that the stakes are high, as you take it upon yourself to remind us. Francesco Clementi, professor of Comparative Public Law at the University of Perugia: “This time we will know who will be the next prime minister and who will be in charge of launching the NextGenerationEU Program. But these elections will also help the country get out of the pandemic as soon as possible , and it is also a general reorganization of political parties ahead of the 2023 general election.

Clementi also points out that “there is another aspect that makes the difference between this and the previous elections, and that is the fact that this time it will have an impact on the rest of Europe. What is decided in Rome will have effects in Brussels, Paris and London”.

Italy, subscribed to instability

The credibility and international prestige of mario draghi they make him a strong candidate for the presidency, although then a new problem would arise: finding him a worthy successor as prime minister.

“Given what has happened, I think it is very likely that Draghi will be forced to remain in his position,” says Clementi. “It will be easier to agree on a new president than to find a second Draghi to replace the first Draghi.”

Italy is well known for its political instability, and one year before the next general election, the fear of a new government crisis is inevitable.

“Both a government crisis and early elections cannot be ruled out,” acknowledges Orsina. “I am one of those who believe that early elections would not be as catastrophic as most people think. I would not rule it out even though it is a less possible scenario. Italy has always been unstable from this point of view, but knows how to manage his lack of stability. In the end he always finds a solution. He always has.”

One thing is certain: whoever becomes Italy’s next president, the election campaign will soon be in full swing, with political infighting could threaten the implementation of the reforms that the country needs for a long time to obtain funds from the European Union with which to save its economy.