Mario Draghi Italy’s New Prime Minister
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – The former head of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, has been sworn-in as Italy’s prime minister after political turmoil over coronavirus policies.
Draghi’s unity government of the main political parties follows the collapse of the previous administration last month.
It was thrown into chaos amid a row over how to spend billions of euros in European Union coronavirus recovery funds.
Italy is still overcoming the pandemic and its worst economic crisis in decades.
Authorities say the struggling EU member state has recorded more than 93,000 coronavirus-related deaths, the sixth-highest death toll in the world.
Draghi, 73, now wants to focus on the efficient management of over 200 billion euros ($241 billion) Italy expects from an EU fund to help the bloc’s recovery.
The package has been described as the most significant aid instrument since the Marshall Plan after World War II.
Draghi also seeks to ensure the smooth progress of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Introducing long-lasting policies in a nation with notoriously complicated politics won’t be easy.
Draghi will have to manage a coalition of parties ranging from left to right. They include traditionally bitter foes such as the 5-Star Movement and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, the right-wing League, and center-left Democratic Party.
However, he comes to power with one of the largest majorities of any government in Italy’s post-war history. It also helps that he has international prestige and an approval rating of 71 percent, according to surveys. But in Italy, support for governments often doesn’t last long.
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