Italy’s President Mattarella: “Difficult days demand a sense of responsibility”

Originally, he did not want to take up a second term: Italy’s re-elected President Mattarella has now justified his change of heart with social conditions. Federal President Steinmeier congratulated him after the election.

It had long been dark in Rome when Parliament President Roberto Fico slowly headed towards the quorum, the absolute majority, in the public count of the votes cast that evening.

The electors in the Chamber of Deputies applaud Sergio Mattarella’s re-election with four minutes of standing applause. An applause that was like a liberation after dreary days of abstentions and missed majorities. The search for a successor to Matterella had failed for seven ballots – before the 80-year-old finally became his own successor, with 759 votes, a backing of almost 80 percent in the election assembly.

social framework

In the Quirinal Palace, Mattarella accepted the election shortly thereafter, in his typical matter-of-fact, reserved manner. In the statement, which lasted less than 100 seconds, he justified his decision to run for a second term, citing the current social conditions, among other things:

Muddled situation

For six days, the electoral assembly of parliamentarians and regional representatives had not managed to elect a successor to Mattarella. The attempt by the centre-right alliance to single-handedly elect Senate President Elisabetta Casellati also failed yesterday. The way out of the impasse was then – parallel to the seventh ballot – a summit meeting of the top representatives of the parties that support Mario Draghi’s current grand coalition.

The joint proposal at the end of the crisis round: Mattarella would be asked to stand for a second term. This line was supported by the Five Star Movement, the Social Democrats, the left, Matteo Renzi’s Italia Viva, but also the right-wing Lega Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. In the face of this almost pleading, bipartisan appeal, Mattarella shortly thereafter agreed to go ahead:

Government can continue without changes

The 80-year-old has stated several times in recent months that he is not available for a second term. In fact, he had already rented an apartment for his time after his presidency. In view of the muddled situation, however, Mattarella allowed himself to be persuaded.

Mattarella remains in office as President, which also means that the current government under Mario Draghi can continue without changes for the time being. Draghi himself congratulated Mattarella and called his re-election “wonderful news for all Italians”.

Congratulations from Federal President Steinmeier

Congratulations for Mattarella also came from abroad. Frank-Walter Steinmeier was one of the first to wish well. The German President spoke of “good news for all Italians”, but also for our European neighbors. With Mattarella, Italy will retain a president who does not shy away from clear words, brings people together and provides orientation – and believes in a common Europe, said Steinmeier.

Mattarella has been re-elected for a further seven-year term. On Thursday he will again be sworn in as President.