The Draghi government was the 67th government of the Italian Republic, led by former President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi. It was in office between 13 February 2021[1][2] and 22 October 2022.

Draghi government

67th Cabinet of Italy
Date formed13 February 2021 (2021-02-13)
Date dissolved22 October 2022 (2022-10-22) (617 days)
People and organisations
Head of stateSergio Mattarella
Head of governmentMario Draghi
No. of ministers24 (incl. Prime Minister)
Member parties
Status in legislatureSupermajority (national unity)
Chamber of Deputies:
562 / 630 (89%)
Senate:
281 / 321 (88%)
Opposition parties
History
Election2018 election
Legislature termXVIII Legislature (2018–2022)
Incoming formation2021 government formation
Outgoing formation2022 government crisis
PredecessorSecond Conte government
SuccessorMeloni government

The Draghi government was formed following the resignation of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in the midst of a political crisis which led to the Conte government losing its majority. After consultations with political parties, President Sergio Mattarella tasked Draghi with forming a "high-profile" government.[3] Mattarella stated that the new government would have to face the health, economic and social crises related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as overseeing the EU relief fund associated with it.[4][5] The Draghi government was described as a national unity government by numerous news sources.[6][7][8][9] The choice by Mattarella to appoint Draghi as Prime Minister was welcomed by some international observers, with others casting doubt on the stability of a new technocratic government.[10][11]

The Draghi Government was formed with both politicians and independent technocrats, and was supported by a large majority of the Italian Parliament, including the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), the right-wing League (Lega), the centre-right Forza Italia (FI), the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), the centrist Italia Viva (IV), and the leftist Article One (Art.1).[6][12]

On 21 July 2022, following M5S, Lega and FI's withdrawal of their support to the government, Prime Minister Draghi submitted his resignation. The government continued to operate as a caretaker government until the next government formation following the 2022 Italian general election on 25 September.[13]

Supporting parties

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Beginning of term

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At the time of the government formation, its ministers were part of the following parties.

Party Main ideology Leader
Five Star Movement (M5S) Populism Giuseppe Conte
League (Lega) Right-wing populism Matteo Salvini
Democratic Party (PD) Social democracy Enrico Letta
Forza Italia (FI) Liberal conservatism Silvio Berlusconi
Italia Viva (IV) Liberalism Matteo Renzi
Article One (Art.1) Social democracy Roberto Speranza

End of term

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After 1 August 2022 the government was composed of the following parties.

Party Main ideology Leader
League (Lega) Right-wing populism Matteo Salvini
Democratic Party (PD) Social democracy Enrico Letta
Five Star Movement (M5S) Populism Giuseppe Conte
Action (A) Social liberalism Carlo Calenda
Together for the Future (IpF) Reformism Luigi Di Maio
Italia Viva (IV) Liberalism Matteo Renzi
Article One (Art.1) Social democracy Roberto Speranza
Environment 2050 (A2050) Environmentalism Federico D'Incà

On 21 June 2022, Luigi Di Maio led a breakaway group outside of the M5S and formed Together for the Future, which confirmed its support for the government. Mariastella Gelmini, Renato Brunetta and Mara Carfagna left FI on 21, 22 and 26 July, respectively. On 29 July, Gelmini and Carfagna joined Action. On 30 July, Federico D'Incà left the M5S, and on 1 August he founded Environment 2050 alongside deputy Davide Crippa.

History

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Background

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On 13 January 2021, Italia Viva (IV) withdrew its support for the second Conte government, triggering a political crisis.[14] Conte subsequently won confidence motions in both houses of Parliament, with the abstention of IV, but could only reach a plurality in the Senate, rather than an absolute majority.[15][16][17] In the wake of this, Conte tendered his resignation to President Mattarella, who then began a round of discussions with various parties to form a new government.[18]

Government formation

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Mario Draghi announcing the Cabinet at the Quirinal Palace.

Mattarella met with delegations of political parties on 28 and 29 January to determine their views on the formation of a new government. The Five Star Movement (M5S), Democratic Party (PD), Free and Equal (LeU), For the Autonomies, Europeanists, and some members of the Mixed Group all expressed support for the reappointment of Conte as Prime Minister, but IV ruled this out.[19][20][21] The centre-right and right-wing parties, the League (Lega), Forza Italia (FI) and the Brothers of Italy (FdI), stated that they preferred a snap election, but would be willing to join a national unity government under certain conditions.[22][23] Following this deadlock, Mattarella asked Roberto Fico, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, to explore the possibility of a grand coalition government.[24] On 2 February, Fico confirmed that there was insufficient support for the proposal.[25]

 
The Draghi government at the Quirinal Palace for the official portrait.

With the prospect of early elections looming, on 3 February Mattarella invited former ECB President Mario Draghi to the Quirinal Palace to charge him to forming a national unity government.[26] Draghi accepted the offer, and began consultations with the leaders of political parties.[27] Conte publicly endorsed him as his successor the following day, and further negotiations commenced.[28] On 10 February, League leader Matteo Salvini and FI leader Silvio Berlusconi jointly announced their support for Draghi.[29] Conversely, FdI leader Giorgia Meloni stated that her party would go into opposition.[30] The PD's national board unanimously voted on 11 February to support Draghi.[31] The same day, the M5S held an online referendum on whether to "support a technical-political government with the other political forces indicated by the appointed prime minister Mario Draghi", which was approved by 59.3%.[32]

Having achieved sufficient support, on 12 February Draghi met with President Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace and presented his list of ministers. The Draghi government was sworn in on the following day, 13 February, at 11:00 AM UTC.[33][34] The government was composed of twenty-four ministers, eight women and sixteen men, most of them from Northern Italy, largely from Lombardy and Veneto; it contained representatives from all supportive political parties, as well as numerous independent technocrats.[35][36]

Investiture vote

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On 17 February 2021, the Senate approved the Draghi government with 262 votes in favour, 40 against and 2 abstentions.[37] The following day, the Chamber of Deputies affirmed its support, with 535 votes in favour, 56 against and 5 abstentions.[38] This was the third largest majority garnered by a government in the history of the Italian Republic after the Monti government and after the fourth Andreotti government.[39]

17–18 February 2021
Investiture votes for Draghi Cabinet
House of Parliament Vote Parties Votes
Senate of the Republic
(Voting: 302 of 321,
Majority: 152)
 Y Yes M5S (69), LegaPSd'Az (62), FIUDC (49), PD (35), IVPSI (17), EurMAIECD (10), Aut (5), LeU (4), IdeAC! (3), EA (2), Others (6)
262 / 302
 N No FdI (19), M5S (15),[40] LeU / Italian Left (2), Others (4)
40 / 302
Abstention Aut (1), Others (1)
2 / 321
Chamber of Deputies
(Voting: 591 of 630,
Majority: 296)
 Y Yes M5S (155), Lega (125), PD (91), FI (81), IV (28), CD (14), LeU (11), C! (10), NcIUSEIAdC (5), SVPPATT (4), A ERI (4), EurMAIEPSI (2), Others (5)
535 / 591
 N No FdI (31), M5S (16),[41] Lega (1),[42] LeU / Italian Left (1), Others (7)
56 / 591
Abstention M5S (5)[41]
5 / 630

Government crisis and collapse

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In July 2022, the M5S did not participate to a confidence vote in the Senate on a government bill, the so-called decreto aiuti, regarding a €27 billion economic aid to counteract the energy and economy crisis. Prime Minister Draghi offered his resignation, which was rejected by President Mattarella.[43] After a few days, on 20 July, Draghi spoke to the Senate again, seeking a confidence vote again to secure the government majority supporting his cabinet, while rejecting the proposal put forward by Lega and FI on a new government without the M5S.[44] In that occasion, the M5S, Lega and FI, three major parties which were supporting the Draghi government, withdrew their support.[45] Consequently, Draghi tendered his final resignation to President Mattarella, who dissolved the houses of Parliament, leading to an early election in September 2022,[46][47] and asked Draghi to stay in office to handle current affairs (as is customary in Italian politics) until a new government could be formed following the upcoming general election.

Party breakdown

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Beginning of term

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Ministers

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9
4
3
3
3
1
1

Ministers and other members

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End of term

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Ministers

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10
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1

Ministers and other members

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Geographical breakdown

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A choropleth map showing the number of ministers from each region.

Council of Ministers

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The Council of Ministers is composed of the following members:[48]

Office Name Party Term
Prime Minister Mario Draghi Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio Five Star Movement / Together for the Future 2021–2022
Minister of the Interior Luciana Lamorgese Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Justice Marta Cartabia Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Defence Lorenzo Guerini Democratic Party 2021–2022
Minister of Economy and Finance Daniele Franco Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Economic Development Giancarlo Giorgetti League 2021–2022
Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies Stefano Patuanelli Five Star Movement 2021–2022
Minister for the Ecological Transition[a] Roberto Cingolani Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility[b] Enrico Giovannini Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Labour and Social Policies Andrea Orlando Democratic Party 2021–2022
Minister of Education Patrizio Bianchi Independent 2021–2022
Minister of University and Research Maria Cristina Messa Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini Democratic Party 2021–2022
Minister of Health Roberto Speranza Article One 2021–2022
Minister of Tourism[c] Massimo Garavaglia League 2021–2022
Minister for Parliamentary Relations Federico D'Incà Five Star Movement / Environment 2050 2021–2022
Minister of Public Administration Renato Brunetta Forza Italia / Independent 2021–2022
Minister of Regional Affairs and Autonomies Mariastella Gelmini Forza Italia / Action 2021–2022
Minister for the South and Territorial Cohesion Mara Carfagna Forza Italia / Action 2021–2022
Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family Elena Bonetti Italia Viva 2021–2022
Minister for Youth Policies Fabiana Dadone Five Star Movement 2021–2022
Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao Independent 2021–2022
Minister for Disabilities Erika Stefani League 2021–2022
Secretary of the Council of Ministers Roberto Garofoli Independent 2021–2022
  1. ^ On 26 February 2021, the Ministry of the Environment was renamed Ministry for the Ecological Transition, and its responsibilities were expanded so as to include energy policies.
  2. ^ On 26 February 2021, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport was renamed Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility.
  3. ^ The Ministry of Culture was also responsible for tourism in the previous governments. The new Ministry of Tourism has just been established as an independent institution.

Composition

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Office Portrait Name Term of office Party
Prime Minister   Mario Draghi 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Undersecretaries
Minister of Foreign Affairs   Luigi Di Maio 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Together for the Future
Before 21 June 2022:
Five Star Movement
Deputy Minister
Undersecretaries
Minister of the Interior   Luciana Lamorgese 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Undersecretaries
Minister of Justice   Marta Cartabia 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Undersecretaries
Minister of Defence   Lorenzo Guerini 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Democratic Party
Undersecretaries
Minister of Economy and Finance   Daniele Franco 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Deputy Minister
Undersecretaries
Minister of Economic Development   Giancarlo Giorgetti 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 League
Deputy Ministers
Undersecretary
Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies   Stefano Patuanelli 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Five Star Movement
Undersecretaries
Minister for the Ecological Transition   Roberto Cingolani 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Undersecretaries
Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility   Enrico Giovannini 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Deputy Ministers
Undersecretary
Minister of Labour and Social Policies   Andrea Orlando 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Democratic Party
Undersecretaries
Minister of Education   Patrizio Bianchi 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Undersecretaries
Minister of University and Research   Maria Cristina Messa 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Minister of Culture   Dario Franceschini 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Democratic Party
Undersecretary
Minister of Health   Roberto Speranza 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Article One
Undersecretaries
Minister of Tourism   Massimo Garavaglia 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 League
Minister for Parliamentary Relations
(without portfolio)
  Federico D'Incà 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Environment 2050
Before 30 July 2022:
Five Star Movement
Undersecretaries
Minister of Public Administration
(without portfolio)
  Renato Brunetta 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Before 21 July 2022:
Forza Italia
Minister of Regional Affairs and Autonomies
(without portfolio)
  Mariastella Gelmini 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Action
Before 20 July 2022:
Forza Italia
Minister for the South and Territorial Cohesion
(without portfolio)
  Mara Carfagna 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Action
Before 26 July 2022:
Forza Italia
Undersecretary
Minister for Family and Equal Opportunities
(without portfolio)
  Elena Bonetti 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Italia Viva
Minister for Youth Policies
(without portfolio)
  Fabiana Dadone 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Five Star Movement
Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition
(without portfolio)
  Vittorio Colao 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
Undersecretary
Minister for Disabilities
(without portfolio)
  Erika Stefani 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 League
Secretary of the Council of Ministers   Roberto Garofoli 13 February 2021 – 22 October 2022 Independent
  1. ^ Before 27 July 2022: Independent.
  2. ^ a b c d e Before 21 June 2022: M5S
  3. ^ Durigon resigned after tensions within the majority due to his support in renaming a public park of Latina after Arnaldo Mussolini, brother of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

References

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  1. ^ "Mario Draghi sworn in as prime minister of Italy". the Guardian. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  2. ^ Balmer, Crispian (14 February 2021). "Italy's Draghi takes office, faces daunting challenges". Reuters. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  3. ^ Balmer, Crispian; Amante, Angelo (2 February 2021). "Italy's president calls on Draghi to save country from crisis". Reuters. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Italian president Sergio Mattarella to seek a 'high-profile' government". the Guardian. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  5. ^ Harlan, Chico; Pitrelli, Stefano (12 February 2021). "Mario Draghi will be Italian prime minister. On the agenda: covid, an economic crisis and raising Italy's profile in the world". Washington Post. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b Johnson, Miles (13 February 2021). "Mario Draghi sworn in as Italy's new prime minister". Financial Times. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Draghi government sworn in – English". ANSA.it. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  8. ^ Roberts, Hannah (12 February 2021). "Mario Draghi forms Italian government". POLITICO. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  9. ^ Horicka, Martin (22 February 2021). "Populists, Super Mario, and Italy's Last Hope". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 2021-02-23. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  10. ^
  11. ^ Horowitz, Jason (12 February 2021). "A Giant of Europe Prepares to Head Italy's New Unity Government". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  12. ^ Governo, Draghi scioglie la riserva e annuncia i ministri: Franceschini alla Cultura, Cartabia alla Giustizia, Franco all'Economia, Cingolani alla Transizione ecologica, la Repubblica
  13. ^ "Italy's Mattarella dissolves parliament, election set for 25 September". euronews. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  14. ^ Meredith, Sam; Amaro, Silvia (13 January 2021). "Italy's government in crisis after former PM pulls support for ruling coalition". CNBC.com. CNBC. CNBC International. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Italy PM Conte comfortably wins lower house confidence vote". Reuters. 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  16. ^ "Italian PM Giuseppe Conte's government survives Senate confidence vote". euronews. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  17. ^ Il Senato vota la fiducia a Conte: il Governo ha la maggioranza relativa con 156 sì, Fanpage
  18. ^ Legorano, Giovanni (January 25, 2021). "Italian Prime Minister Resigns Amid Struggle Over How to Revive Economy From Covid-19". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  19. ^ Consultazioni, Zingaretti: "Pd sostiene incarico a Conte, è punto di sintesi", la Repubblica
  20. ^ Crimi “Pronti a confronto anche con Italia Viva, ma serve lealtà”, Il Tempo
  21. ^ Governo: secondo giorno di consultazioni. Renzi: 'Dopo i veti ci dicano se ci vogliono', ANSA
  22. ^ "Mattarella: "Adotterò un'iniziativa immediata". E convoca il presidente Fico per un mandato esplorativo". lastampa.it (in Italian). 2021-01-29. Archived from the original on 2021-01-29. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  23. ^ Governo, Causin (Europeisti): “Conte è elemento di attrazione, non escludiamo un partito. Italia Viva? Fa la schifiltosa ma è nata come noi”, Il Fatto Quotidiano
  24. ^ Mattarella: “Possibile conferma della maggioranza attuale, va verificata”. Fico convocato al Quirinale, Il Fatto Quotidiano
  25. ^ "La vecchia maggioranza non si è messa d'accordo" (in Italian). Il Post. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Ex-ECB chief Mario Draghi asked to form Italy's next government". euronews. 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  27. ^ Crisi governo, Draghi accetta l'incarico: "Vincere pandemia e rilanciare il Paese"., Sky Tg24
  28. ^ Giuseppe Conte scende in campo. E si autodichiara federatore, Huffington Post
  29. ^ "Berlusconi e Salvini: "Sostegno a Draghi con responsabilità e senza veti"". ilGiornale.it (in Italian). 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  30. ^ Meloni attacca Salvini: "Non voterò la fiducia a Draghi, a lui Pd e la Boldrini vanno bene?", Internazionale
  31. ^ "Zingaretti: "Unità contro chi vuole destabilizzare il Pd. Ora Costituente per riforme in Parlamento"". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  32. ^ "Dal voto Cinquestelle via libera al governo Draghi con il 59,3%. Di Maio: "Il movimento prende la via europea". Fico: "Niente salti nel buio"". lastampa.it (in Italian). 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  33. ^ Giuffrida, Angela (12 February 2021). "Mario Draghi's new government to be sworn in on Saturday". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Italy's Draghi sworn in as prime minister". The Canberra Times. 13 February 2021.
  35. ^ "Il Governo Draghi, 23 ministri: 8 donne e 15 uomini. I tecnici sono otto" (in Italian). ANSA. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Governo Draghi, prevalgono i ministri del Nord" (in Italian). Rai News. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  37. ^ Governo, ok del Senato alla fiducia a Draghi con 262 sì. "Grazie per la stima, andrà validata dai fatti". Nel M5S 15 votano contro, la Repubblica
  38. ^ Forgnone, Valeria; Mari, Laura (18 February 2021). "Governo, ok della Camera alla fiducia con 535 sì, 56 no e 5 astenuti. Voto contrario di un leghista che passa a Fdi. Dissenso leghista a quota 32. Draghi: "Lotta alla corruzione e alle mafie"". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  39. ^ Draghi, ok al Senato senza record: oggi tocca alla Camera. Strappo M5S Archived 2021-03-02 at the Wayback Machine, Qui Finanza
  40. ^ now expelled, 6 of them founded the group Alt
  41. ^ a b now expelled, 13 of them founded the group Alt
  42. ^ now in FdI
  43. ^ "Italian government on brink of collapse amid fears Mario Draghi could resign". the Guardian. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  44. ^ "Perché per il premier era inaccettabile la richiesta di Lega e FI". 20 July 2022.
  45. ^ "Italy's Mario Draghi expected to resign as prime minister". the Guardian. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  46. ^ "Italy president calls snap elections after Draghi quits as PM". Financial Times. 21 July 2022.
  47. ^ Chico Harlan; Stefano Pitrelli (2022-07-21) [2022-07-20]. "Italy's Mario Draghi resigns; new elections are set for September". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.[please check these dates]
  48. ^ "I Ministri del Governo Draghi". www.governo.it (in Italian). 13 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.