Pressure from civil society has left Mario Draghi at the helm of the Italian government amid multiple objections. Broad political backing seems to be the only leverage to persuade the prime minister to stay, yet party disagreements and a lack of consensus complicate the situation. The country faces a delicate moment that demands careful negotiation and steady leadership.
Draghi spoke on Tuesday with no planned action in mind, preparing to address Parliament on Wednesday. He indicated that a decision about his resignation would come after one of his main partners, the Five Star Movement (M5S), pulled its support by voting against a critical inflation relief decree. The measure aimed to soften the impact of rising prices and bolster households and businesses alike.
As voices from across society and Europe echo in favor of preserving stability, some outlets describe a cautiously optimistic mood about Draghi’s future. Yet intense political debate remains, and calls for early elections do not disappear from the discourse.
The prime minister is set to begin the day in the Senate, then proceed to the Chamber of Deputies to answer questions and vote on a confidence motion. A broad showing of support, including at least some M5S backing, could influence Draghi to reconsider his path.
The government continues to rely on the same national unity coalition that brought Draghi into office in February 2021. Sources note that President Sergio Mattarella may still approve a continuation, one of the conditions Draghi himself set when he first submitted his resignation, which was rejected by the presidency.
Even Giuseppe Conte, the former prime minister and leader of the M5S, who has clashed with Draghi over the crisis, has signaled a possible softening of tensions amid a broader internal dispute within the anti-establishment party between factions supporting and opposing continued backing for the head of government. The party could see a split if the rift deepens.
Confidence in coalition parties
Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva, a centrist partner in the coalition that has supported Draghi’s continuity, voiced cautious optimism. He urged that the crisis be avoided, arguing that neither Rome nor Brussels needs a fractured Italy at this juncture.
The idea of stability finds support among right-leaning coalition leaders Silvio Berlusconi of Forza Italia and Matteo Salvini of the League, who have asserted that the M5S cannot be trusted as a reliable partner. They have not ruled out new elections as a possible path forward.
Observers note that the sole opposition to Draghi in parliament appears to come from the most ardent factions on the far-right, including the Giorgia Meloni camp, which has already begun positioning to form a government should elections proceed. The timing of any call for elections could place the vote in late September or early October, slicing through a year already marked by inflation on a scale not seen since the mid-1980s and challenging ongoing reforms and European funding structures.
In response to looming uncertainty, dozens of organizations across sectors have signed manifestos calling for Draghi to maintain leadership and for political stability. Signatories include university representatives, teachers, medical professionals from doctors to nurses and pharmacists, veterinary groups, environmental advocates, anti-mafia coalitions, and a broad range of unions and employers. These voices emphasize the need for a strong government and sustained governance, a sentiment echoed by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and the Italian Episcopal Conference.