The Italian president swore in the former chief of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, as prime minister on Saturday at the head of a unity government called on to confront the coronavirus crisis and economic slump.
“I swear to be loyal to the Republic,” recited Draghi, as President Sergio Mattarella swore him in to the new role.
All of Italy’s major parties except one have backed his leadership, with his cabinet made up of lawmakers from across the political spectrum alongside eminent Italian technocrats.
New PM’s main tasks will be the efficient management of over 200 billion euros ($241 billion) Italy expects from a European Union fund to help the bloc’s recovery, and ensuring smooth progress of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Draghi has several advantages. He comes to power with one of the largest majorities of any government in Italy’s post-war history, huge international prestige and an approval rating of 71%, according to a survey published this week.
He will have to manage an unwieldy coalition made up of parties from left to right, including traditionally bitter foes such as the 5-Star Movement and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, the right-wing League and centre-left Democratic Party.
If he succeeds in carrying Italy through both the health and economic crises, Draghi could bolster the entire eurozone, which has been affected by instability in the EU’s third-largest economy.
Following Saturday’s swearing-in hDraghi will be presented to the upper-house Senate on Wednesday followed by the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday for a confidence vote which will give the final official blessing to his government.
