logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2021
25m 55s

Super Mario to the rescue

ECFR
About this episode
This week, former European Central Bank Chief Mario Draghi was sworn in as the country’s prime minister and the head of a unity government and put an end to weeks of political turmoil. His cabinet is the third administration that Italy sees in less than three years. But how stable will this government be? What are the first challenges Draghi will face in his country and in Brussels? Will he be able to stand on equal footing with Macron and Merkel? Host Mark Leonard talks to Lia Quartapelle, Italian parliamentarian of Partito Democratico, Alessandro Speciale, Bloomberg Italia director, and head of ECFR’s Rome office Arturo Varvelli about what the Draghi government will mean for Italy and Europe.This podcast was recorded on 17 February 2021. Bookshelf:•“Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World” by Laura Spinney •“The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories” by Susanna Clarke •“Passé, présent et futur de Mario Draghi : la carrière politique d’un technician” by Alessandro Aresu & Andrea Garnero in Le Grand Continent •“Mario Draghi l'artefice” by Jana Randow & Alessandro Speciale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Aug 21
Germany’s second China shock
This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Janka Oertel, director of ECFR’s DARE* initiative, and Andrew Small, head of ECFR’s Asia programme, to examine the growing impact of the “China shock 2.0” on Germany and Europe. A new wave of Chinese competition, driven by overcapacity and sta ... Show More
35m 58s
Aug 14
Political crisis in Germany
This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Jörg Lau, international correspondent at Die Zeit and Jana Puglierin, head of ECFR’s Berlin office, to explore the political turmoil in Germany ahead of an electoral autumn. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government is becoming increasingly unpop ... Show More
30 m
Aug 7
Latin America’s new imaginaries
This week, Mark Leonard is joined by Adriana Abdenur, a Brazilian policy expert and co-president of the Global Fund for a New Economy, and Jorge Castañeda, former foreign minister of Mexico and professor at Sciences Po, to explore debates about development and ideas of strategic ... Show More
34m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2021
Italy’s make or break moment
<p>Ben Hall, the FT’s Europe editor, discusses Italy as former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi takes on the premiership. How Draghi decides to spend up to €200bn in grants and loans from the EU recovery fund will be crucial, not just for Italy, but for the future directi ... Show More
25 m
Mar 2021
Why do Italy’s governments keep collapsing?
After the government of Giuseppe Conte collapsed amid an economic and public health crisis, Mario Draghi has formed Italy’s 65th administration in 73 years. So what are the long-term causes of Italy’s political woes, and does Draghi stand any chance of solving them? Presenter: Ta ... Show More
23m 29s
Apr 2013
Prospects for a new Italian government
The political chaos in Rome seems to be about to come to an end as the bickering parties prepare to form a broad coalition government led by Enrico Letta of the centre-left Democrats. Will the coalition be able to rise to the challenges facing Italy, including an economy now ente ... Show More
13m 58s
Jul 2022
ECB raises rates amid Italian turmoil
<p>Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigns, the European Central Bank raises interest rates for the first time in more than a decade, Russia and Ukraine reach a deal to end a month-long grain blockade, and the FT’s Katie Martin explains why markets might rally when they see s ... Show More
10m 17s
May 2024
Italy and the Giorgia Meloni phenomenon
<p>With elections for the European parliament a month away, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is emerging as a key figure in European politics. Gideon talks to Amy Kazmin, the FT’s Rome correspondent, about the rise of Meloni, her roots in the Italian far right, her close rel ... Show More
24m 55s
Oct 2025
Rome run: Meloni’s surprising stamina
When Giorgia Meloni was elected Italy’s prime minister, many people feared she would prove divisive and volatile. Instead, at a time when many other European governments have been in turmoil, her three years in office have been remarkably tranquil. Why German trains no longer run ... Show More
22m 28s
Jul 2022
Knock-down, Draghi-out fight: Italy in turmoil
<p>For the second time in a week, Prime Minister Mario Draghi has tendered his <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/07/14/mario-draghi-italys-prime-minister-tries-and-fails-to-resign?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=di ... Show More
22m 40s
Feb 2022
Episode #94 -- Marco Rocco and the Fragile Future for Italy and the EU
I discuss the future of Italy, the state of Italian politics and the context of a failing European Union with Marco Rocco of Mittdolcino.com, a finance and politics blog from Italy. http://www.mittdolcino.com Is Mario Draghi No Longer Davos’ Superman? https://tomluongo.me/2022/01 ... Show More
53m 34s
Sep 2022
Italian election — Pipeline problems — EU ambassador to US
We discuss the implications of Italy's election last weekend and what its probable next prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, could mean for Europe. Our special guest is Stavros Lambrinidis, the EU's ambassador to the United States. POLITICO's Suzanne Lynch and our team covering Italy' ... Show More
31m 57s