With the reform of 2019, the number of parliamentarians has been cut by 2/3, from a thousand to six hundred, 400 deputies and 200 senators. This led to a more bloody dispute during the electoral campaign exacerbated during the vote by an electoral law halfway between majority and proportional.

What to expect from the new government regarding international and Europe Institutions relations?

We will have to wait for the first moves of the government to understand what will be the impact of this change at the international level, and in particular at the European one.

Giorgia Meloni has spent the last few months reassuring the major international partners, primarily the United States, that the new government will not take any initiative that could conflict with NATO interests. On this, the leader of Fratelli d’Italia assured that she will continue to provide military and economic aid to Ukraine and that she will not give rise to doubts about Italy’s positioning in the international context. Indeed, this does not take away the fact that the exit of Mario Draghi from Chigi’s palace will entail a cost in terms of image and perception of the country abroad, the government of Giorgia Meloni is followed as an unknown and by some chancellery, French for sure, as a trauma. In Brussels, there are fears of a domino effect that could, with the victory of the extreme right in Sweden and the proximity of Giorgia Meloni with the Visegrád Group, change the internal equilibrium of the European Union and determine, if not a disintegration, a weakening of the common European project. Although to be taken into account, this picture must be seen with eyes of profound realism, the economic situation of the country does not allow great space for manoeuvre, the high public debt (2.700 billion c.a.) and a deficit of 5% of the public accounts do not allow great upheavals on the economic side, it will be difficult to give an account of the promises made in the electoral campaign for a budget deviation and a revision of taxation towards a Flat Tax. This also involves a downsizing of what Giorgia Meloni can or cannot afford to do at the European level, on the other hand, there is too much money at stake, PNRR and European funds, and it will be difficult to make risky moves like those carried out by Viktor Orbán in Hungary, if not by paying a very high price. It is hoped instead that a spirit of general responsibility, after weeks of battles and electoral squabbles, will be desirable by those who have been rewarded by the voters and their allies as well as by those who must acknowledge their defeat, analyze the reasons for it and collaborate, with a constructive opposition.  

What’s coming next? – Following institutional steps for the formation of the government:
In the coming weeks, we will closely follow the formation of the government and the new parliamentarian committees, followed by an in-depth analysis and key information to understand and give a more detailed picture of what will be fundamental steps to determine the action of the next government.

13th of October – On this date the chambers will meet for the first time, and the newly elected deputies and senators, after establishing their parliamentary groups will have the task of choosing the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate.

Once the leaders of the Parliament have been elected, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella will proceed with the consultations, convening at the Quirinale the group leaders, the leaders of the coalitions, the former presidents of the two chambers and the president emeritus of the republic to ascertain the guidelines before entrusting the task to create the new government.

Considering the landslide victory of the Center-right, it is almost certain that the role of President of the Council will go to the leader of Fratelli d’Italia Giorgia Meloni who, within a few days of appointment, will have to present a list of ministers. After agreeing on the list of ministers with the Head of State, the executive will be able to take office officially and formally.

Following the choice of ministers, within ten days, the prime minister in charge will have to ask for and obtain the trust of the Chamber and Senate, definitively starting the legislature.

Despite the significant victory of the Centre-Right, it is not possible to mark in detail what will be the stages that will follow the election of the presidents of the two branches of Parliament. It is estimated, however, that the consultations of the President of the Republic could begin around the 20th of October.

RPP will be observing the further development in Italian politics. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.