ROME (dpa-AFX) – After the decision to dissolve the two chambers of parliament in Italy, the date for the early elections has been set for September 25, 2022. This was announced during a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday evening in Rome, as reported by the Ansa and Adnkronos news agencies, citing participants. In a speech, Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who has resigned but is still in office, thanked Head of State Sergio Mattarella for the trust he had placed in him. “We must be very proud of the work we have done on behalf of the President of the Republic in the service of all citizens,” the 74-year-old continued.
The former head of the European Central Bank called for work to continue with determination in the coming weeks. His government is still in office until there is a new one. Before that, Mattarella dissolved the two chambers of parliament. This in turn was preceded by Draghi’s resignation. It was the end of a week-long game of poker over the continuation of his government, which was sparked by a lack of confidence in the co-governing Five Star Movement in a Senate vote last Thursday. On Wednesday, three of his governing parties did not vote for him in the Senate.
Italy is now facing a week-long election campaign. In recent polls, the right-wing extremist party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) is ahead. An alliance with the centre-right parties Lega and Forza Italia seems possible. It is likely to be decisive how Italy, before and after the elections, will be able to implement important reforms as a condition for paying out billions in EU aid./jon/DP/he