While the waters are agitated around him, the man flew to the other shore of the Mediterranean.
This Monday, July 18, Mario Draghi is in Algeria, as part of an important diplomatic mission to ensure Italy a sufficient supply of gas. In all likelihood, this should be the last official trip of the former head of the ECB as Chairman of the Council. Draghi has resigned since the 5 Star Movement (M5S) decided to boycott a vote of confidence on an executive text discussed in the Senate.
But since the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, refused his resignation, Draghi is still in the saddle to this day, at least until Wednesday July 20, when he will appear before Parliament to confirm his desire to leave the vessel. Unless pressure from the political class ends up having an effect.
A split from the M5S?
Because since “Supermario” announced his step aside, calls have multiplied for him to reconsider his decision, in particular from party leaders, who say they are ready to continue the experience of the executive of national union.
But the right now demands that the government distance itself from the M5S, “who cannot be trusted”, even though the President of the Council had already made it clear that he did not envisage a government without the 5 Stars. This is why, from a strictly political point of view, only an internal split in the Movement, with the creation of a wing openly supporting Draghi, could possibly change the situation.
The letter of the thousand mayors
However, the parties – which are at the origin of the crisis – are not the only ones to activate. “On Saturday, at the initiative of the Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella [centre gauche]an open letter asking Draghi to stay has been published”, reports the Roman daily The messenger. This was signed by more than 1,000 city officials, including the administrators of large cities, such as Milan, Rome, Turin, Palermo and Bari.
An initiative without obvious political color, notes this centrist newspaper, since“among the signatories there are many mayors supported by the right, such as that of Genoa, Venice, Lucca or Arezzo”. According to the transalpine press, “Supermario” could be sensitive to what could be perceived as a demonstration of confidence on the part of the “real country”, as representatives of civil society and local administrators are often referred to in Italy, by opposition to the politicians of the Roman palaces.
Serial phone calls
Always in a logic outside the parliamentary balances, Draghi could also lend a more attentive ear to the requests which arrive from abroad, advances on his side The Republic.
“According to indiscretions, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Ursula von der Leyen would have telephoned or written to Mario Draghi, and contacts would have taken place with the administration of the United States, believes the left-wing newspaper. This pressing cannot leave Draghi indifferent, who is aware of the many files that need to be completed.
“Choosing between pride and the national interest”
“Draghi must hear our ‘Whatever it takes’”written in the same vein The print, by taking up the famous phrase with which the former head of the ECB would have helped to save the euro, transforming it into an invitation to stay “whatever the cost”.
“The crisis is now out of the palace, notes the liberal daily, and faced with the pressing demands to save Italy, Draghi must respond: “The President of the Council must choose between his pride and the national interest.” If the option chosen was the first, Italy would probably return to the polls, after four and a half years of legislature marked by three governments supported by different majorities, but no early election.