Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is considering the possibility of holding early parliamentary elections in Italy, despite the government and its allies continuing to officially declare that elections will be held at the end of the term.
According to an article in the newspaper “La Repubblica,” during meetings with leaders of the governing coalition, Meloni raised the possibility of going to the president of the Republic next March, after a European Council summit expected to be held in Rome, to pave the way for early elections.
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May 16 or June, possible election dates
According to sources cited by the newspaper, May 16 is one of the dates being considered for the elections, while another option is early June. The final date would depend on when Parliament was dissolved and on developments in the political crisis.
Another scenario under consideration is holding parliamentary elections on the same day as local elections in Italy’s major cities.
This option would allow a joint voting process to be organized, while the issue is also said to have been discussed with the Presidency of the Republic.
La Repubblica’s full article:
ROME – The official line remains the same: to deny any possibility of early elections. “There will be a vote at the end of the term,” officials repeat. However, behind the public statements, the election campaign in the right-wing camp appears to have begun gaining momentum.
According to government sources, during recent meetings with allies at Chigi Palace, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also presented a possible scenario regarding the timing and circumstances of her resignation.
The idea she put forward for discussion with Antonio Tajani, Matteo Salvini and Maurizio Lupi was to go to the president of the Republic next March, immediately after the European Council meeting expected to take place in Rome, to pave the way for early elections. This comes as a political crisis has “gripped” Italy, with violent protests taking place in several cities.
The summit would be exceptionally organized in the Italian capital to mark the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, signed on March 25, 1957, which laid the foundations for the European Economic Community (EEC), the forerunner of the European Union.
According to government sources, Meloni discussed the organization of this special meeting directly with European Council President António Costa of Portugal, who is said to have confirmed that the summit in Rome will take place.
Meanwhile, European sources have said that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has also been informed of the plan and, according to them, has approved holding the meeting in Rome instead of Brussels, which would normally be the venue.
The presence of the continent’s main leaders, likely on the steps of the Capitoline Hill, where the Treaty of Rome was signed, would, according to the scenario described by the sources, constitute Meloni’s final act before she approached the head of state with a request for early elections, several months before the normal end of her term at the end of September.
May 16 or June, the dates being discussed for the elections
The first possible date for holding the elections is Sunday, May 16, according to information from circles within the Brothers of Italy (FdI) and Forza Italia parties.
According to the article, legislation provides that elections must be held no earlier than 45 days and no later than 70 days after the president of the Republic dissolves the chambers of Parliament.
However, depending on when the political crisis occurred and Parliament was dissolved, voting could be postponed until the first days of June.
June was also mentioned earlier by Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary in the prime minister’s office, and Francesco Filini, who is responsible for FdI’s political program. Both presented this possibility with reservations, without confirming a final decision.
Meanwhile, most coalition leaders continue to categorically deny that early elections are being prepared.
According to parliamentary sources on the right, Meloni appears to be considering holding parliamentary elections on the same day as local elections in the country’s major cities. This combination, known as election day, would be the way in which the early-election scenario could be implemented.
This possibility is also said to have been left open by the Presidency of the Republic.
According to the article, Meloni would have preferred parliamentary and local elections to be held separately, postponing the municipal elections. The reason is that contests in major cities usually give the left more electoral space. However, recent developments suggest that the alternative of holding a joint vote is being considered increasingly seriously.
The right accelerates the selection of mayoral candidates
After the League’s extraordinary congress, which is being held in Milan, the right-wing camp aims to accelerate decision-making on candidates for the local elections.
The process remains complicated, particularly in five major cities: Rome, Naples, Milan, Turin and Bologna.
In Milan, the city considered among the most open to political change, although the race remains difficult, Meloni is said to have expressed support for Silvia Sardone, a politician close to Salvini, as the La Repubblica newspaper had previously reported.
Ignazio La Russa, who supported Maurizio Lupi’s candidacy, does not appear to have opposed this alternative. However, Forza Italia, which supports Matteo Perego, an undersecretary and politician with close ties to the Berlusconi family who is also respected by Guido Crosetto, still needs to be persuaded.
Within Forza Italia, the name of Licia Ronzulli is also circulating. Running for mayor of Milan could provide her with a way to leave Parliament. However, this alternative is not considered among the most likely.
In Naples, Forza Italia is supporting an independent candidate. At present, Pasquale Perrone Filardi, president of the Italian Society of Cardiology, is at the top of the list of names being discussed. Meanwhile, within FdI there are voices proposing Matteo Piantedosi, who had previously rejected the possibility of running in the Campania region.
In Turin, Maurizio Marrone, deputy governor of the Piedmont region and a figure close to Meloni, remains in the race.
For Rome, the prime minister appears to favor Roberta Angelilli, vice president of the Lazio region, over Fabio Rampelli.
FdI members in the capital would like Meloni to announce her candidacy during the traditional Atreju political event. But within the coalition, particularly in the League, pressure is mounting not to waste any more time.
“Time has already been lost,” Salvini said.
For this reason, the issue of the local elections is expected to be among the main topics at the next meeting of the leaders of the governing majority, perhaps as early as tomorrow. Another complicated issue is also expected to be discussed at the same table: the draft state budget./ La Repubblica
