As a last political job at the age of 85

'Old' Berlusconi wants to be Italian president

Mario Draghi (right) in conversation with Berlusconi.

archival

Controversial politician and former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi wants to end his diverse career by moving to the sprawling presidential palace, in Rome, that was once the residence of the popes.

Through a clandestine lobbying campaign, Berlusconi is said to have been taking the pulse of members of parliament who will elect Italy's next president in January, when Sergio Mattarella steps down.

His 2013 fraud conviction that briefly barred him from holding political office, and his trial for bribery in a case linked to the notorious Bonga parties, appear not to be a problem for the 16 percent of Italians who support him.

In this, Antonio Tajani, deputy leader of the "Forza Italia" party led by Berlusconi, says, "He is a statesman, and is suitable for the post of president."

After evading recent court hearings, claiming that he was in poor health after contracting the "Covid-19" virus, Berlusconi appears to feel strong enough, ready for seven years of presidential mandate, even though he will turn 92 when end of his term.

"Age is not an issue. Queen Elizabeth II is 95 years old, and she is more influential in the fight against climate change than Greta Thunberg, 18, who is much younger," Tajani said.

Heavyweight competitor

And if he is nominated, there is growing speculation that Berlusconi will face another heavyweight competitor, Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who has received good ratings for his handling of the economy and the vaccine campaign, since he took office as a technocratic leader, in February.

"I think Draghi wants the job," said Lorenzo Brigliasco, director of polling and political analysis firm Yotrand.

10 months after the latter's appointment, 80% of people over the age of 12 in Italy are in great trouble, while the economy is recovering, and plans have been made to spend about 200 billion euros in grants and loans from the European Union, to rebuild the economy after a wave A brutal epidemic.

best country

And since this country has been synonymous with stagnation and political squabbling, Italy was this week chosen as the best country for 2021, by The Economist.

More than that, Draghi has succeeded in "keeping the peace" in a diverse coalition government that includes the centre-left Democrats, the anti-establishment Five Star Party, and the far-right League, run by Matteo Salvini.

But now 74-year-old Draghi faces difficult choices about his future, and knows he risks political turmoil, no matter which path he takes.

If he remains in office until the next general election, scheduled for 2023, he could retain control of the EU-backed rebuilding program for another year.

But, since he is unlikely to run in the election, he risks becoming a lame duck as the year goes on, as Italian parties kick off the campaign trail.

The role of the president is usually ceremonial.

Nevertheless, Italian presidents are stepping in to resolve political crises, and many believe Draghi could use his stature to expand the presidency and try to keep tabs on the massive spending plan.

• After evading recent court hearings, claiming that he was in poor health after contracting the "Covid-19" virus, Berlusconi appears to feel strong enough, ready for seven years of presidential mandate.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news