Shrouded in secrecy, the complicated process to elect the president is often compared to the papal conclave which elects the head of the Roman Catholic Church
Sergio Mattarella. Picture: REUTERS
When Italian President Sergio Mattarella met with his diplomatic staff on Thursday, he told them he was saying goodbye. Mattarella has been signalling for months that he doesn’t want to stick around when his term finishes and his comments will fuel speculation about who lawmakers will chose to replace him in a secret ballot next month. Many bets are on Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
On the other hand, installing Draghi for the seven-year presidential term could cement a longer-lasting anchor of stability at the heart of Italy’s fractious system.Basically, no-one matches his status and career. At 74, Draghi has served as European Central Bank chief and governor of the Bank of Italy. He’s widely respected at home, and abroad. But there are also political calculations at play.
But the 80-year-old president has repeatedly quashed speculation he could stay on, and is reported to have signed a contract to rent an apartment starting January. Due to the length of the presidential mandate, a re-election is a rarity. In fact, it only happened once, when Giorgio Napolitano, Mattarella’s predecessor, remained in office for a partial term because parliament couldn’t agree on his replacement. Two former governors of the Bank of Italy have gone on to become president.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Six people killed in Mpumalanga horror crashIt's understood the two vehicles collided on Thursday night, leaving two men and four women dead.
Read more »
BMW X3 ticks all the right boxes for family wheelsIt's sumptuous, spacious and terrific in the bends, writes Phuti Mpyane
Read more »
Epic Friday for soccer fans as Sundowns face Pirates | CitypressEpic Friday for soccer fans as Sundowns face Pirates
Read more »
Valneva says its booster works as a follow-up to its own Covid-19 shotFrench biotech firm Valneva said on Thursday its Covid-19 vaccine candidate was efficient as a booster for people who had received the same shot as an initial vaccination.
Read more »
Elections proved voter education is critical to democracyWithout a grounding in democratic processes, rights and responsibilities, voters are all too easily misled by unscrupulous parties or discouraged from voting, write Lindiwe Mazibuko and Sithembile Mbete
Read more »
Trailblazing US Black feminist author bell hooks dies age 69Iconic American Black feminist author bell hooks, known for her trailblazing works on the intersection of gender, race and class, died Wednesday aged 69, her family said.
Read more »