Draghi’s exit spurs worries over Ukraine, rise of Italy’s far-right
The Hindu
Mr. Draghi had pushed early to send weapons and money to help Kyiv fight off Russia’s invasion
With the departure of Italian Premier Mario Draghi, the EU and NATO lose one of the strongest backers of their Ukraine policy — and risk seeing a eurosceptic, pro-Russian politician installed in his place.
Mr. Draghi had pushed early to send weapons and money to help Kyiv fight off Russia’s invasion, and the former European Central Bank chief is an enthusiastic advocate of the European Union and trans-Atlantic alliance.
But in the September elections sparked by the collapse of his coalition this week, he could be replaced by a government dominated by the eurosceptic Brothers of Italy party and the pro-Russian, anti-immigration League.
Together the two parties are polling at almost 40% of the vote. With their ally Forza Italia, the right-leaning party led by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, they could secure 45 to 48%, according to recent estimates.
Aside from EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni — who denounced the “irresponsible” parties who withdrew their support from Mr. Draghi, namely the Brothers of Italy, League and Forza Italia — Western leaders and officials have reacted cautiously to this week’s events.
But there are concerns behind the scenes due to the fact that Mr. Draghi, who visited Kyiv in June with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in an EU show of support, “was an important stabilising factor”, according to a European diplomat based in Rome.
“Whatever the shape of the future government, political, economic and military support for Ukraine must continue without hindrance,” the diplomat told AFP.
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