Mario Draghi has managed to achieve something that was unthinkable until recently – the country’s economy is growing fastest in Europe, immunization is advancing, politics is stable
A few days ago, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi gave a speech at the Bologna Business School – one of his rare public appearances recently. He was invited to speak about the recently deceased Christian Democrat Benjamino Andreata, with whom Draghi had known since university. In his speech, the Prime Minister also spoke about the sense of duty to the state and public responsibility.
When Draghi described the style of work of the late politician, many in the audience quickly realized that the prime minister was actually talking about himself: “He did not hesitate to make the necessary decisions, even if they were unpopular. The job is to it’s over. ” For Mario Draghi, this is quite common, and behind the mantra “whatever it costs” is his experience as head of the European Central Bank (ECB).
The savior in the pandemic
Getting Italy out of the pandemic and the economic depression was Mario Draghi’s task after he was invited by the president to take over as prime minister in February. In the pandemic, Draghi first imposed a partial lockdown again, and now introduces the so-called “Green Passport” in the workplace – proof of a vaccine or a coronavirus test. Italy is still the only country with such a measure in Europe, but for Draghi it is absolutely necessary. However, he wants Italy to get back on its feet.
And so, 7 months after taking office, the immunization campaign in Italy is advancing faster than in Germany. In addition, the country’s economy is growing fastest across Europe, Italian engineering produces almost twice as much as last year, and almost every second company in the country increases its investment.
Stability is back
“A new Italian miracle?” – such headlines can be seen in many major newspapers. They still use the question mark. But the mood is optimistic again. With his calm and consistent governing style, the 74-year-old prime minister saved Italy and pulled it out of the crisis. Giovanni Orsina, a professor of politics at the University of Lewis in Rome, did not hide his words of praise for Draghi: “Great competencies, remarkable ability to handle power and a good international image. With this, he stands out above all other prime ministers in recent years.”
And the majority of Italians share this assessment. They see that someone is finally getting to work and keeping their promises. Current opinion polls confirm this high assessment: the Italian prime minister enjoys the trust of more than two thirds of citizens.
Under Mario Draghi, Italy suddenly showed surprising political stability. Despite the unpopular measures, the political parties are calming down, and with quick and skillful actions the head of government manages to cope even with the traditionally dissatisfied right-wing “League”.
Will Draghi stay longer?
Mario Draghi appeared in February as the last hope, when the parties in the country had already exhausted all their possibilities to form a government – in the middle of the pandemic, recalls Prof. Orsina.
“The parties have transferred to an outsider the responsibility for finding a way out of the state of emergency and political instability in the country. And for several months now, this outsider has had complete freedom of action,” the observer said.
Prof. Orsina does not rule out the possibility that Draghi will stay in power longer – “either as president of the republic, or with some other function.” Internationally, he enjoys a high reputation, and in the forthcoming change of government in Germany, and probably in France, Europe sees Draghi as a future leading figure. Italy also needs Draghi – to keep the markets calm despite the country’s high debt.
And does Draghi himself want to stay in power longer? He responds to all speculation about his political future in his typical style – in silence.
The text has been published HERE
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