Italy: in the midst of a political crisis, Mario Draghi in Algeria in search of alternatives to Russian gas

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi attends a joint news conference, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2022. REUTERS - VALENTYN OGIRENKO

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Despite the countless calls from civil society - including those of more than 1,000 Italian mayors - for him to remain in his post, Mario Draghi could leave him definitively on July 20.

The talks within the parties of the government coalition to pick up the pieces are bogged down.

But "Super Mario" has not yet resigned: he will be in Algiers this Monday, July 18 for an additional agreement on gas supplies

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With our correspondent in Rome, 

This may be one of Mario Draghi's last major political missions.

Accompanied by several ministers, he will take a new step forward in his desire to free Italy from dependence on Russian gas. 

Algeria is already a key commercial partner of Rome, but this country will be even more so, thanks to the signing of a contract on Monday July 18 increasing its gas supplies, through the Transmed gas pipeline which arrives at Mazara del Vallo, in Sicily, via Tunisia.

Algeria will supply Rome with an additional 6 billion cubic meters of gas in 2022. That is a total of 27 billion cubic meters.

This represents more than two-thirds of supplies from Russia in 2021. Enough to protect Italian businesses and families for next winter. 

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• Italy

• Mario Draghi

• Algeria