Presidential election in Italy: No quick decision in sight

Starting today, 1009 voters in Italy are to elect a new president. So far, however, none of the political camps has dared to come out with an official candidate. An agreement will probably take longer.

The day has come, but the political fog has not yet lifted. Even a few hours before the start of the vote, it is not clear who will be Italy’s next head of state. Only those who don’t make it are safe. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has announced his resignation. His followers try to sell this as a statesmanlike gesture.

“Once again, President Berlusconi has shown that he has the stature of a great politician” and “showed responsibility,” said his longtime confidant, former Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi. Berlusconi gave up in order to clear the way for an amicable proposal across faction lines, is the interpretation spread by his supporters.

Berlusconi in the clinic

Berlusconi simply realized that he had no chance of winning a majority, said the centre-left alliance. Board member Giuseppe Provenzano emphasized on behalf of the Social Democratic PD: “The right-wing attack on the presidency failed with Berlusconi’s candidacy having no chance.” Now is the moment of dialogue.

Health reasons may have played a role in the multi-billionaire former prime minister’s decision. State television RAI reported that Berlusconi has been in a Milan hospital since Thursday. He had had his declaration of withdrawal read out by a confidant. From Berlusconi’s environment it is said: The 85-year-old is only for routine checks in the clinic.

A favorite is Draghi

The current prime minister, Mario Draghi, is now more than ever the favorite for the highest state office. His name has not yet been officially mentioned – also because there is a high hurdle of a two-thirds majority in the first three ballots. In the fourth ballot, probably on Thursday, an absolute majority of 50 percent of those entitled to vote (plus one) would be enough.

Then, believes Tobias Mörschel, head of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Rome, Draghi’s hour could come: “It could be that one says: ‘Well, now we’ll send Draghi into the race.'” Because then his supporters would know that he will also be elected if he is named for the first time and stands for election. In the first three ballots, on the other hand, there is a risk that “Draghi will be burned to a certain extent and will not receive the necessary majority”.

Camps initially want to abstain

Another possible candidate for a bipartisan proposal is former parliamentary speaker Pier Ferdinando Casini – a Christian Democrat who also long supported Berlusconi as prime minister but is now at home in the centre-left camp. Andrea Riccardi, the founder of the Catholic Community of Sant’Egidio, is also mentioned by the Social Democrats and the Five Star Movement. However, due to a lack of institutional experience, he is given few chances.

So far, no party has dared to come out with an official proposal. Both the centre-left and centre-right alliances are saying that both sides are likely to abstain in today’s first ballot. After that, talks about a common candidate could pick up speed. Berlusconi has let it be known from his sickbed that he is against Draghi moving to the office of President.

Major role in government crises

A total of 1009 eligible voters are allowed to vote in Rome today: the parliamentarians from the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies as well as representatives from the regional parliaments. Due to a special regulation, electors who are ill with Covid-19 are also admitted. The government has passed a special law decree for this purpose. Almost 40 parliamentarians are reported by the Italian media to be corona positive. For them, the quarantine rules are suspended for the duration of the presidential election. Under strict hygiene regulations, they are allowed to vote in the parliament car park, in specially erected tents.

The election of the head of state is of great importance in Italy, since the president, in addition to his representative function, always played a major role in government crises. Here the head of state can set politically important courses. Outgoing President Sergio Mattarella made this clear a year ago when he pushed Draghi through the parties to head a cross-camp government.