Italy Presidential Election Starts on 24th... Current Prime Minister VS Former Prime Minister

Mario Draghi, current Prime Minister of Italy
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Italian presidential election will begin on the 24th. Current Prime Minister Mario Draghi and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi are expected to compete for the presidency.

According to AP News and others, the Italian Chamber of Deputies announced on the 4th (local time) that the election to select the next president will start on the 24th. Current President Sergio Mattarella will complete his seven-year term on February 3rd. Earlier, he officially declared his intention not to seek re-election.

The Italian presidency holds powers such as dissolving parliament and calling early elections during emergency situations, but in normal times, the role is largely symbolic and ceremonial.

The president is elected indirectly through parliament, not by direct popular vote, with 1,000 voters including members of both houses of parliament and representatives from 20 regional states. To win, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority in the first three rounds of voting. If the election proceeds to the fourth round, a simple majority is required. Major foreign media have reported that multiple rounds of voting have been conducted in past Italian presidential elections.

Italy faces numerous challenges including responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, securing fiscal soundness, and labor market structural reforms. The leading presidential candidates currently mentioned include Prime Minister Draghi, former three-term Prime Minister Berlusconi, and current Minister of Justice Marta Cartabia.

In particular, Draghi, a former President of the European Central Bank (ECB), is praised for maintaining a stable response during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if he becomes president, a new prime minister must be appointed. Considering the nature of the presidency, there is growing public opinion that it would be better for the country if Draghi remains in his current position.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
[Photo by Reuters]

Former Prime Minister Berlusconi is a seasoned three-term political heavyweight, but his numerous legal controversies due to various scandals and sexual misconduct allegations are considered drawbacks. During his tenure as prime minister, he was criticized for hosting so-called 'bunga bunga' sex parties and was even prosecuted for having sexual relations with a minor.

On December 31st last year, he posted a photo on Twitter with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that they "exchanged views on major international political issues."