Italy’s Draghi delivers optimistic message for country’s future

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) – Italy’s outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Wednesday expressed optimism on the future of the country, saying it will overcome all its difficulties whatever government emerges from September’s general election.

"Italy will make it, this time too," Draghi said in a speech at the annual meeting of Catholic group Communion and Liberation (CL) in Rimini, greeted by many applauses and a final standing ovation.

In his speech, Draghi recalled all the challenges Italy had to face under his government, including an uncertain economic recovery, a new pandemic wave, and the war in Ukraine, with all its heavy economic consequences.

"Together, we showed that Italy is a great country, which has all it needs to overcome the difficulties that history puts in front of it," the premier said.

Draghi is leading a caretaker government until new elections, to be held on Sept. 25, and the creation of a new cabinet.

According to the latest polls, the far-right party Brothers of Italy – led by Giorgia Meloni – is firmly in the lead, making Meloni the frontrunner for the premiership with a right-wing coalition.

Draghi, who resigned in July after losing support for his broad coalition, said he hoped that any future executive would maintain the Republican spirit that inspired his mandate and urged all Italians to vote.

The premier, however, also reminded all the challenges Italy is still facing and the importance of the decisions that the next government will have to take.

He cited rising inflation, which weighs on Italian households and businesses, the “unsustainable” cost of gas and other energy sources, and reiterated Italy's request for a price cap at a European level.

Draghi said his government took action to reduce Italy’s dependence on Russian gas, confirming the target to reach a complete independence in 2024.

In a message to the next government, Draghi stressed that “protectionism afnd isolationism do not coincide with our national interest" and Italy’s domestic credibility must go hand in hand with international relevance.