Meloni, Berlusconi Make Up Ahead Of Gov't Formation

A meeting between Brothers of Italy leader Giorgia Meloni and Forza Italia head Silvio Berlusconi seems to have at least papered over some of the cracks in the incoming governing coalition ahead of the expected offer of a mandate to Meloni to form a gov't this weekend. A fractious process of electing speakers of the Senate and Chamber threatened to scupper the incoming gov't before it had even been officially formed.

• Berlusconi, who in a rare move visited the Brothers of Italy HQ rather than hosting the meeting, and Meloni issued a joint statement saying that “The meeting took place in an atmosphere of unity of intent and utmost cordiality and cooperation...[the parties] present themselves united, with the other coalition forces, at the forthcoming consultations [with President Mattarella] and are working to give Italy a strong, cohesive and high-profile government as soon as possible, that will immediately set to work to tackle urgent issues,”
• Decode39 presents a tentative timeline of the process:
  • Saturday, October 22: President Mattarella tells Ms Meloni to form a government. She accepts with reservation, as is tradition.
  • Monday, October 24: Ms Meloni lifts the reservation– provided her coalition is ready to agree on the posts assignment.
  • Tuesday, October 25: the swearing-in ceremony takes place, with Ms Meloni formally taking over from outgoing PM Mario Draghi and beginning to head Italy’s next executive. The newly established Council of the Minister holds its first meeting that same day.