Italian PM Mario Draghi waves to MPs at the end of his address at the Parliament in Rome on Thursday.Credit:AP
Draghi’s government of national unity imploded on Wednesday after members of his uneasy coalition of right,left and populists rebuffed his appeal to band back together to finish the legislature’s natural term and ensure implementation of the European Union-funded pandemic recovery program.
Instead,the centre-right parties of Forza Italia and the League and the populist Five Star Movement boycotted a confidence vote in the Senate,in a clear sign they were done with Draghi’s 17-month government.
“Thank you for all the work done together in this period,” Draghi told the lower house before he went to see Mattarella. Clearly moved by the applause,he repeated a quip that even central bank chiefs have hearts.
Italian newspapers were united in their outrage at the surreal outcome,given Italy is dealing with soaring inflation and energy costs,Russia’s war against Ukraine and outstanding reforms needed to clinch the remainder of the EU’s €200 billion in recovery funds.
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“Shame,” headlinedLa Stampa on the front page. “Italy Betrayed,” saidLa Repubblica. “Farewell to Draghi’s Government,” saidCorriere della Sera.
Mattarella had tapped the former European Central Bank chief —who was known as “Super Mario” for his “whatever it takes” rescue of the euro — to pull Italy out of the pandemic and lay the groundwork to make use of the EU’s recovery funds.