Crisis in Italian Government (2022)

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Author (Corporate)
Publication Date 2022
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Summary:

Information Guide concerning a political crisis in Italy that resulted in the resignation of Mario Draghi as Prime Minister on 21 July 2022 and later dissolution of the Italian Parliament by the country's President.

Further information:

On 14 July 2022, Prime Minister Mario Draghi offered to resign following a split in his national unit government, formed in early 2021, as the Five Star Movement (M5S) boycotted a legislative bill concerning a €26 billion cost of living package. Italian President Sergio Matarella later rejected the resignation and invited the Prime Minister to appear before Parliament to make a statement and assess the situation.

Mr Draghi signalled on 20 July he would be willing to stay on as Prime Minister, but also issued an ultimatum to bring the coalition parties back into line. However, three political forces - besides M5S, also the right-wing Forza Italia and Lega - failed to endorse him in a confidence vote held on the following day. As a result, Mr Draghi handed over his resignation once again which was accepted by Mr Matarella.

The President later dissolved Parliament, and a new parliamentary election was set for late September. In the meantime, Mr Draghi was asked to carry on as caretaker leader.

Related Links
Commentary and Analysis
The Economist, 14/07/2022: Game over for Super Mario? Mario Draghi, Italy’s prime minister, tries (and fails) to resign https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/07/14/mario-draghi-italys-prime-minister-tries-and-fails-to-resign
FitchRatings: Research, 18/07/2022: Draghi Resignation Heralds Greater Italian Political Instability https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/draghi-resignation-heralds-greater-italian-political-instability-18-07-2022
Euronews, 19/07/2022: Italy's Mario Draghi braced to step down again - how did we get here? https://www.euronews.com/2022/07/19/italian-pm-draghis-facing-uncertain-political-future
Centre for European Reform (CER): Insight, 19/07/2022: Italy after Draghi https://www.cer.eu/insights/italy-after-draghi
Euro|topics, July 2022: Italy: is there a way out of the government crisis? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/285011/
BBC News, 21/07/2022: What next for Italy after fall of Draghi? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62249051
Euro|topics, July 2022: Italy: Draghi's government collapses https://www.eurotopics.net/en/285340/
Le Monde: Editorial, 21/07/2022: The end of the Draghi era in Italy is a shock for all of Europe https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2022/07/21/the-end-of-the-draghi-era-in-italy-is-a-shock-for-all-of-europe_5990908_23.html
Atlantic Council: Blog, 21/07/2022: Mario Draghi, and Italy’s political stability, are gone. What’s next for Europe? https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/mario-draghi-and-italys-political-stability-are-gone-whats-next-for-europe/
European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): Commentary, 22/07/2022: Whatever it breaks: Draghi’s downfall and the future of Italy https://ecfr.eu/article/whatever-it-breaks-draghis-downfall-and-the-future-of-italy/
Politico, 22/07/2022: Berlusconi’s big lunch: How Italy’s right ousted Mario Draghi https://www.politico.eu/article/berlusconi-big-lunch-mario-draghi-resign-oust-forza-italia-matteo-salvini-election-italy-conte-chaos/
The Irish Times, 22/07/2022: ‘Draghi walked into a trap’: leader’s ultimatum shatters Italy’s stability https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2022/07/22/draghi-walked-into-a-trap-leaders-ultimatum-shatters-italys-stability/
The Conversation, 22/07/2022: Italy heading to snap election as unity coalition crumbles: Explaining the nation’s fragmented party system https://theconversation.com/italy-heading-to-snap-election-as-unity-coalition-crumbles-explaining-the-nations-fragmented-party-system-187213
Reuters: Analysis, 22/07/2022: Draghi's fall leaves Monte dei Paschi's cash call in the lurch https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/draghis-fall-leaves-monte-dei-paschis-cash-call-lurch-2022-07-22/
Kathimerini: Opinion, 23/07/2022: Italy and the EU after Draghi’s resignation https://www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1189648/italy-and-the-eu-after-draghis-resignation/
The Guardian: Editorial, 24/07/2022: The Guardian view on Italy after Draghi: there may be trouble ahead https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/24/the-guardian-view-on-italy-after-draghi-there-may-be-trouble-ahead
The Guardian: Opinion, 24/07/2022: Italy’s loss of Mario Draghi is a warning to progressives across Europe – and to the EU https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2022/jul/24/italy-mario-draghi-europe-eu-far-right
Politico: Opinion, 25/07/2022: Italy’s technocratic anomaly https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-technocrats-mario-draghi/
The Conversation, 26/07/2022: Italian government collapse: the political chess moves behind Mario Draghi’s resignation https://theconversation.com/italian-government-collapse-the-political-chess-moves-behind-mario-draghis-resignation-187648

News
The Local (Italy), 14/07/2022: Italy’s president refuses to accept PM Draghi’s resignation https://www.thelocal.it/20220714/latest-italian-pm-draghi-to-resign-on-thursday-night/
The Irish Times, 14/07/2022: Italy plunged into crisis as Mario Draghi offers to resign https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2022/07/14/italian-president-rejects-prime-minister-draghis-resignation/
EUObserver, 14/07/2022: Italy back in chaos, as Draghi quits over 5-Star snub https://euobserver.com/eu-political/155544
Politico, 20/07/2022: Mario Draghi signals he’ll stay as Italy’s PM, but issues ultimatum https://www.politico.eu/article/mario-draghi-resignation-ultimatum-italy-prime-minister/
France24, 20/07/2022: Italy in limbo as Draghi wins confidence vote but loses parliamentary majority https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220720-italy-s-draghi-calls-for-new-pact-ahead-of-confidence-vote
Deutsche Welle, 20/07/2022: Italy's Draghi vows to stay on as premier if government maintains unity https://p.dw.com/p/4EOSW
EurActiv, 20/07/2022: Italy’s Draghi calls for ‘new pact’ if coalition to survive https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/italys-draghi-calls-for-new-pact-if-coalition-to-survive/
Swissinfo.ch, 20/07/2022: Italy's Draghi calls for confidence vote to decide fate of govt https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/italy-s-draghi-calls-for-confidence-vote-to-decide-fate-of-govt/47768378
Politico, 20/07/2022: Mario Draghi faces the end after Italy’s coalition refuses to back him https://www.politico.eu/article/latest-mario-draghi-brink-italy-prime-minister-government-collapse-crisis/
France24, 21/07/2022: Italy’s president dissolves parliament, paving way for early elections https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220721-italian-pm-draghi-to-see-president-expected-to-resign
RTÉ News, 21/07/2022: Italy to hold early election after PM Draghi resigns https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0721/1311407-italy-draghi/
RFI News, 21/07/2022: Last hours for Italy's Draghi after coalition implodes https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20220721-last-hours-for-italy-s-draghi-after-coalition-implodes-1
The Guardian, 21/07/2022: Italy’s far right celebrate Draghi’s downfall and look poised to take power https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/21/italy-far-right-brothers-of-italy-mario-draghi
BBC News, 21/07/2022: Italian PM Mario Draghi fails in bid to revive government https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62219401
Reuters, 21/07/2022: Mario Draghi resigns, plunging Italy into political turmoil https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italian-pm-draghi-meets-president-expected-resign-2022-07-21/
EUObserver, 21/07/2022: Draghi's grip on power finally unravels https://euobserver.com/eu-political/155595
The Guardian, 21/07/2022: Far right in front for snap Italy election after Draghi goes https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/21/italys-far-right-could-win-majority-in-snap-polls-after-draghis-exit
Euronews, 22/07/2022: Tears, and some jeers, as Italy's Draghi resigns https://www.euronews.com/2022/07/22/us-italy-politics-reaction
Reuters, 22/07/2022: Italy will keep supporting Ukraine if right wins vote, says Meloni https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-will-keep-supporting-ukraine-if-right-wins-vote-says-meloni-2022-07-22/
Le Monde, 23/07/2022: Europe fears turbulent times in post-Draghi era https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/07/23/european-fears-over-turbulent-times-in-post-draghi-era_5991168_4.html

Official
Italian Government: News, 21/07/2022: Prime Minister Draghi addresses Parliament https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/prime-minister-draghi-addresses-parliament/20307

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