“I don’t know why they always have to find me a place far from Italy.” Mario Draghi he knows why, but if he uses the same joke every time it is to distance himself from the (almost) entirely Italian debate on his next international position. How he didn’t already have a role even without assignments. Some time ago, when he was given as the sure successor to Jens Stoltenberg at NATO general secretariat, was intercepted on the phone by a friend who asked him if the press rumors were true. And he was seraphic: «Look, you caught me right on the steps of the plane. I’m leaving to go and take possession of that seat.”
Rumors about upcoming assignments
This time too there is a succession of rumors about his future destination: having discarded NATO – and put on standby the hypothesis of the presidency of the European Council which had also been talked about – the theory that the former Italian prime minister is about to move to Presidency of the European Commission. And it is not clear whether «Supermario» is more amused or annoyed by these noises, which they tell of political plots and of contacts between chancelleries to bring him to the top of the Union government in place of Ursula von der Leyen. The new burst of indiscretions occurred after his speech to High level conference on social rights, during which Draghi illustrated the profiles of the competitiveness plan that had been requested of him by von der Leyen.
The July appointment
What is certain is that the report will be presented in mid-July and that the former ECB president has been able to note a very positive climate in Brussels regarding his work. On the rest, that is, on the fate of the former Prime Minister, there is one thing spasmodic attention from the Italian media which, however, is not reflected in the newspapers of other European countries. In fact, if someone speaks they are not necessarily thinking of running for something. And for Draghi to be a candidate it would be necessary an agreement between the twenty-seven countries of the Union and a preliminary preparatory operation of which – according to very authoritative sources – “Supermario” would not be aware.
The judgment on von der Leyen’s work
Also because we will vote in June and it will be from the composition of the European Parliament that we will understand the new balance of power in the EU. From a recent survey, conducted by Europe Elects, it emerges that it could be complicated for the old majority to gather the votes necessary to elect the President of the Commission: the projections, however indicative, announce a clear success for the EPP and a decline of Socialists and Liberals, which is countered by the advance of the Conservatives. Who knows if Draghi thinks like Romano Prodi, who al Courier he defined von der Leyen’s confirmation as almost a given. He certainly has an excellent opinion of Ursula’s work.
Giorgia Meloni’s alliances
And then everyone knows that the People’s Party will have to support their candidate, and that in the event of difficulties in the Strasbourg Parliament they will open to negotiations with the other groups, seeking a relationship also with Giorgia Meloni’s Ecr. If the FdI leader continues to publicly keep her distance from von der Leyen it is because she is in the midst of an election campaign. But if, as Prime Minister, you always underline your “solid collaborative relationship” with the President of the Commission, it is because “Ursula spent herself in favor of Giorgia”, helping her to overcome the obstacles posed to the Italian government by the powerful European bureaucracy. Therefore, at the right moment, the bond that triggered the jealousy of the Socialists and provoked the reaction of the French president will be forged. «For this reason – explains a minister – Emmanuel Macron would like to get rid of von der Leyen».
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April 18, 2024 (modified April 18, 2024 | 08:49)
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