Should Italy’s prime minister become the country’s next president in February, political uncertainty could increase and the fate of Italy’s EU funds could be at stake as the Parliament struggles to appoint a successor. Italian President Sergio Mattarella has suggested he will not seek reelection after his term expires in February. In recent weeks, speculation has grown in Italian media that the country’s current prime minister, Mario Draghi, is interested in the presidency. Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank, currently leads a heterogeneous coalition of center-right and -left parties whose main goal is to implement some 200 billion euros in EU funds to make Italy’s economy more competitive and accelerate the energy transition. Because of his domestic and international prestige, Draghi would probably secure the presidency should he aim for it. ...
