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Italy's Quirinale: Center-right seeks presidential profile, first names emerge
🇮🇹 Italy /Elections & Politics

Italy's Quirinale: Center-right seeks presidential profile, first names emerge

From Corriere della Sera · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Italy's center-right coalition is considering potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election, with a focus on a politician rather than an independent figure.
  • Ignazio La Russa, a prominent politician, has expressed disinterest but prefers a politically affiliated candidate for the role.
  • Mario Draghi, despite not being a career politician, is also being suggested as a potential candidate, particularly if the electoral law remains unchanged.

The Italian center-right coalition is actively, though discreetly, exploring candidates for the next presidential election, with a clear preference emerging for a politician over an independent figure. This discussion is fueled by the possibility of the coalition, led by Giorgia Meloni, having the decisive vote in selecting the head of state.

I have already said that I am not interested, and I am truly not.

— Ignazio La RussaLa Russa stated his disinterest in the presidential role while also outlining his preference for a politician.

Ignazio La Russa, a key figure within the coalition, has publicly stated his lack of interest in the role. However, he has also articulated a preference for a "full-fledged politician" to hold the second-highest office in the Italian state, suggesting that someone affiliated with a party would be more suitable than an independent or a figure solely associated with a specific area.

In any case, for the second highest office in the state, if the center-right really had the cards to choose the head of the Italian institutions, it would be better a politician than a man of area, or an independent acceptable to everyone. I prefer someone who is a member of a party.

— Ignazio La RussaLa Russa elaborated on his ideal candidate profile for the presidency.

Despite this preference, the name of Mario Draghi, the former Prime Minister and ex-president of the European Central Bank, continues to surface in discussions among the majority. Sources within the government indicate that Draghi's candidacy gains strength if the current electoral law remains in place. His independent and authoritative profile, coupled with his international experience, appeals to the governing right.

Her candidacy is strengthened if the electoral law remains as it is, there are no doubts about this.

— Government sourcesSources close to the government suggested that Mario Draghi's chances for the presidency increase under the current electoral law.

Within Meloni's own party, other possibilities are being considered, including the Prime Minister herself. While she has reportedly expressed no desire to pursue the presidency, the possibility remains open, especially given the potential for her ascension to pave the way for a presidential system of government. Such a move would signify a significant shift in Italy's political structure, with a head of state who has historically favored a more presidential approach.

If Meloni went to the Quirinale, it would finally be the right time to approve the presidential system, what better viaticum than a head of state who has always been presidentialist.

— Unnamed collaboratorsCollaborators discussed the potential implications of Giorgia Meloni becoming president, linking it to the approval of a presidential system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Corriere della Sera in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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