The reason for Berlusconi’s displeasure: Italy’s right wants to introduce a presidential system if they win

Berlusconi’s displeasure
Italy’s Right Wants to Start a Presidential System If They Win

8/12/2022 3:34 PM

In the elections to the parliamentary elections in Italy, the post-fascist candidate Meloni is clearly ahead. In the event of a victory, the right-wing parties want to change the constitution and establish a presidential system. The President would be given significantly more power, and the options of Parliament would be reduced.

Italy’s right-wing parties want to change the constitution and introduce presidential systems in France or the United States if they win the election. Silvio Berlusconi of the Forza Italia party confirmed this in a radio interview. He caused a stir with the remark that President Sergio Mattarella would then have to resign.

Political opponents reacted with outrage to the statement by Berlusconi, whose centre-right coalition with far-right Fratelli d’Italia favorite Giorgia Meloni is clearly ahead of the polls for the September 25 general election. Berlusconi’s remarks to the Social Democrats were proof of how dangerous this authority is for Italy. Center candidate Carlo Calenda said that Berlusconi is no longer himself. Former five-star prime minister Giuseppe Conte claimed the centre-right faction had now taken off its mask.

Difficult to understand the electoral process in Italy

Fratelli’s leading candidate for post-fascism, Meloni has been in favor of a presidential system in which the head of state and government is directly elected by the people, and not by parliamentarians, as is currently done. Due to the traditionally weak majority in Rome, this election process is often opaque. It is not uncommon for parties to be unable to find a solution, so that – as is currently the case with Mario Draghi – an outsider is appointed prime minister. The election of head of state earlier this year was also dragged on for days, when a genuinely reluctant Mattarella was persuaded for a second term as a compromise solution. Matarella is a respected figure in Italy.

After the critical interview, Berlusconi immediately sought clarification. “I have neither attacked President Mattarella nor demanded his resignation,” the 85-year-old wrote on Facebook. He only said that the old had to resign before the head of state was directly elected for the first time. The former prime minister said that he, Mattarella, could be re-elected.