Stalemate and Political Tensions
On Tuesday, the Italian Parliament, in a joint session, recorded the eighth unsuccessful vote for the election of a Constitutional Court judge. Despite the reduction of the quorum to 363 votes, none of the candidates reached the required number for election. The vote concluded with 342 participants, but the majority cast blank ballots, reflecting a political strategy not to “burn” their candidate, Francesco Saverio Marini, legal advisor to Palazzo Chigi and a key figure in recent reforms. The situation is further complicated by a boycott from the opposition parties, who chose not to participate in the vote as a form of protest. The lack of agreement among political forces has left the Parliament in a deadlock that has lasted for nearly a year, keeping the Constitutional Court operational with only 14 judges instead of the required 15. The center-right, particularly FdI, has criticized the opposition’s stance, accusing them of paralyzing the institution and ignoring the repeated calls for dialogue and compromise from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. On their part, opposition parties, especially the PD and AVS, continue to oppose Marini’s candidacy, arguing that conflicts of interest exist due to his closeness to the government’s reform proposals. The situation remains critical, as the terms of three more judges of the Court will expire in December, increasing the pressure on Parliament to reach an agreement. The election of a new judge could also significantly impact key issues for the majority, such as the regional autonomy reform and the citizenship law.
This week, Italy also hosted two important ministerial meetings under the G7 Presidency: the G7 Health summit, which opened on Wednesday in Ancona, and the G7 Industry and Technological Innovation meeting, held on Thursday in Rome. The Ancona meeting focused on three main topics: the prevention and response to global pandemics, the promotion of active aging through health innovations, and strengthening the “One Health” approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Special attention was given to the fight against antibiotic resistance, aiming to coordinate global actions to improve healthcare preparedness and ensure equitable access to treatment, especially in low-income countries. Leading the discussions was Health Minister Schillaci, who assured, “As Minister Giorgetti said, healthcare will have its place within the Budget Law. I am absolutely confident, but I just want to emphasize that, in addition to having more funds – and they will be there – it is essential that the money is spent well and effectively throughout Italy”. Meanwhile, in Rome, the G7 countries’ industry ministers gathered to discuss global economic challenges, focusing on technological innovation and strengthening supply chains. Topics included improving digital infrastructure, developing AI, and promoting sustainable industrial policies to support the energy transition. Both meetings reflect the Group of Seven’s commitment to addressing global challenges through international collaboration and Italy’s dedication to leading this process as the current chair: the upcoming two ministerial meetings on Technology and Digital in Cernobbio and on Inclusion and Disability in Assisi next week are highly anticipated.
