The Draghi government was formed following the resignation of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in the midst of a political crisis which led to the Conte government losing its majority. After consultations with political parties, PresidentSergio Mattarella tasked Draghi with forming a "high-profile" government.[3] Mattarella stated that the new government would have to face the health, economic and social crises related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as overseeing the EU relief fund associated with it.[4][5] The Draghi government was described as a national unity government by numerous news sources.[6][7][8][9] The choice by Mattarella to appoint Draghi as Prime Minister was welcomed by some international observers, with others casting doubt on the stability of a new technocratic government.[10][11]
On 21 June 2022, Luigi Di Maio led a breakaway group outside of the M5S and formed Together for the Future, which confirmed its support for the government. Mariastella Gelmini, Renato Brunetta and Mara Carfagna left FI on 21, 22 and 26 July, respectively. On 29 July, Gelmini and Carfagna joined Action. On 30 July, Federico D'Incà left the M5S, and on 1 August he founded Environment 2050 alongside deputy Davide Crippa.
On 13 January 2021, Italia Viva (IV) withdrew its support for the second Conte government, triggering a political crisis.[14] Conte subsequently won confidence motions in both houses of Parliament, with the abstention of IV, but could only reach a plurality in the Senate, rather than an absolute majority.[15][16][17] In the wake of this, Conte tendered his resignation to President Mattarella, who then began a round of discussions with various parties to form a new government.[18]
The Draghi government at the Quirinal Palace for the official portrait.
With the prospect of early elections looming, on 3 February Mattarella invited former ECB President Mario Draghi to the Quirinal Palace to charge him to forming a national unity government.[26] Draghi accepted the offer, and began consultations with the leaders of political parties.[27] Conte publicly endorsed him as his successor the following day, and further negotiations commenced.[28] On 10 February, League leader Matteo Salvini and FI leader Silvio Berlusconi jointly announced their support for Draghi.[29] Conversely, FdI leader Giorgia Meloni stated that her party would go into opposition.[30] The PD's national board unanimously voted on 11 February to support Draghi.[31] The same day, the M5S held an online referendum on whether to "support a technical-political government with the other political forces indicated by the appointed prime minister Mario Draghi", which was approved by 59.3%.[32]
Having achieved sufficient support, on 12 February Draghi met with President Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace and presented his list of ministers. The Draghi government was sworn in on the following day, 13 February, at 11:00 AM UTC.[33][34] The government was composed of twenty-four ministers, eight women and sixteen men, most of them from Northern Italy, largely from Lombardy and Veneto; it contained representatives from all supportive political parties, as well as numerous independent technocrats.[35][36]
Investiture vote
On 17 February 2021, the Senate approved the Draghi government with 262 votes in favour, 40 against and 2 abstentions.[37] The following day, the Chamber of Deputies affirmed its support, with 535 votes in favour, 56 against and 5 abstentions.[38] This was the third largest majority garnered by a government in the history of the Italian Republic after the Monti government and after the fourth Andreotti government.[39]
17–18 February 2021 Investiture votes for Draghi Cabinet
In July 2022, the M5S did not participate to a confidence vote in the Senate on a government bill, the so-called decreto aiuti, regarding a €27 billion economic aid to counteract the energy and economy crisis. Prime Minister Draghi offered his resignation, which was rejected by President Mattarella.[43] After a few days, on 20 July, Draghi spoke to the Senate again, seeking a confidence vote again to secure the government majority supporting his cabinet, while rejecting the proposal put forward by Lega and FI on a new government without the M5S.[44] In that occasion, the M5S, Lega and FI, three major parties which were supporting the Draghi government, withdrew their support.[45] Consequently, Draghi tendered his final resignation to President Mattarella, who dissolved the houses of Parliament, leading to an early election in September 2022,[46][47] and
asked Draghi to stay in office to handle current affairs (as is customary in Italian politics) until a new government could be formed following the upcoming general election.
^On 26 February 2021, the Ministry of the Environment was renamed Ministry for the Ecological Transition, and its responsibilities were expanded so as to include energy policies.
^On 26 February 2021, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport was renamed Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility.
^The Ministry of Culture was also responsible for tourism in the previous governments. The new Ministry of Tourism has just been established as an independent institution.
^Durigon resigned after tensions within the majority due to his support in renaming a public park of Latina after Arnaldo Mussolini, brother of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
.svg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
