Macron’s plan for dominating European politics via Mario Draghi

A little less than five years ago, Macron launched Ursula von der Leyen for the presidency of the European Commission, agreeing to it with the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, freeing the Union from the impasse in which crossed vetoes had forced it. Four and a half years later, the French president, according to diplomatic sources in Brussels and Paris, wants to carve out the same role for himself. By spreading his web of relations and diplomacy. With a surprise name in the middle: Mario Draghi. The former Italian Prime Minister, Repubblica, is the ‘champion’ Macron wants to bet on. Precisely to succeed von der Leyen.

With him, the relationship has always been privileged. Just remember the way he explained why the Quirinal Treaty was possible: ‘Because it was him, because it was me’. On the strength of this personal understanding, he probed him informally. Above all, he began to put the hypothesis to his lifelong ally, Germany, now led by Olaf Scholz. On several occasions and with different interlocutors, the French president has explained why, after the upcoming European elections, it would be appropriate to turn to the former ECB president. Indeed, the ‘Old Continent’ will be called upon to face a new phase. The consequences of the war in Ukraine, the growing affirmation of China, and the American elections could put Donald Trump back on the international stage and thus isolate Europe once again—a possible sovereignist and nationalist regurgitation. To face such decisive challenges for the future of the Union, according to the Elysée, it would be advisable to rely on those who have already helped save Europe with the famous ‘Whatever it takes’. Reasoning that Macron would have already illustrated in a very informal manner to the German Chancellor.
It’s too bad that this time he may have backed the wrong horse

Mario Draghi’s ambitions

Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is not interested in the presidency of the European Commission. This was clarified by sources close to the former prime minister after the Italian daily “la Repubblica” wrote about French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan for the post-European elections, namely to choose the former prime minister to lead the EU Commission to succeed Ursula von der Leyen. The former Italian Prime Minister is the ‘champion’ that Macron, after having promoted the candidature of the current president five years ago, wants to bet on.

Actually, these words mean absolutely nothing about Draghi’s wishes; it is well known that the former ECB president coveted the post of President of the Italian Republic at the end of his career. But he played his cards badly, first letting himself be ensnared by the media’s sweet talk and then cheated by the tentacular powers in Rome. He entered the presidential conclave as pope and came out as a mere cardinal. Such was his personal disappointment that he even resigned as Prime Minister before the end of his term.

This time too, Drgahi starts out well liked by certain powers, especially the media. This time, too, he is shy. But Macron is reckoning without the next parliament, where his party’s weight could be minimal.