April 13, 2021 last updated 17:3 ET Mario Draghi speaks to the media after accepting a mandate to form Italy’s new government at Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome, Feb. 3, 2021 (AP Photo by Alessandra Tarantino).
Draghi’s Challenging To-Do List in Italy and the EU
Italy fell into a political crisis in late-January, when, following disagreements in the coalition then headed by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, a small but crucial part of the government withdrew its support. Without the backing of former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s Italia Viva party, Conte no longer had the required majority in Parliament. Given the dire straits of Italy’s health system and economy due to the coronavirus pandemic, the unexpected move raised concerns over the country’s ability to effectively continue its vaccination campaign and lay the foundations for economic recovery.