Meloni government, the confidence of the Chambers, who will be deputy ministers and undersecretaries

Palazzo Chigi (archives) – Photo by Ansa Foto

After the first Council of Ministers, the new government is getting to the heart of the matter with the votes of confidence in the Chamber and the Senate, which will be held tomorrow October 25 and Wednesday October 25 respectively.

The game is still open to the deputy ministers and undersecretaries who will have to deal with the files in the committees and in the hemicycle and act as a bridge between the Palazzo Chigi and the chambers.

The game is decisive for the executive also in terms of balance within the majority, mixed with the presidencies of the committees where the opposition comes into play. Movimento 5 Stelle and Terzo Polo aim for Rai surveillance, while the Democratic Party aims Copasir.

It is not yet known when the parliamentary guarantee committees, the permanent ones and finally the bicameral committees will be convened. On the basis of the rules of the Chambers, it is up to the presidents to establish the first convocation, during which each committee proceeds to the constitution, by the election of the office of the presidency (composed of the president, two deputies and two secretaries). The earliest unofficial date is November 7.

Cattaneo (FI): “We want to affect infrastructure, the economy and justice”

“President Berlusconi’s generosity enabled us to form the government, but now we are looking forward,” Forza Italia House leader Alessandro Cattaneo said in an interview with Libero. “FI has always had a very clear line on issues such as infrastructure, the economy and justice. There we want to be able to record”.

“I advise Meloni to strengthen his relationship with Berlusconi”

As for the “under-secretaries and presidents of the Commission, we will measure the will of this majority to work well, by making our ideas viable. We intend to work loyally with Giorgia Meloni, whom I would recommend to strengthen her relationship with Berlusconi, who has shown generosity and common sense at this stage”.

Lupi (Noi Moderati): “Appearance of a call for undersecretary roles”

The dissatisfaction does not only belong to Forza Italia, but also to Noi Moderati. Maurizio Lupi, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, attacks: “I expect there will be a call for under-secretary roles”. On the formation of the government, he continues, “I would have liked a better result. But I claim the fundamental contribution that we have made in balanced colleges and the political value of our proposal. However, the synthesis belonged to Giorgia Meloni”. On the possibility of being under-secretary he concludes: “I represent a list and I think it is right to value the team”.

Under-secretaries and deputy ministers: Berlusconi’s demands

The allies attempt a showdown and Giorgia Meloni will have to find a meeting point at the start of the distribution of tasks. Forza Italia claims a few more boxes than the League, in particular on the undersecretaries-vice-ministers of Justice, where Francesco Paolo Sisto, also in the running for the vice-presidency of the CDM, could go.

The Cav would also like Valentino Valentini at Farnesina, but it might be easier to see him at Defense or European Affairs. Paolo Barelli could become Deputy Interior Minister, while Gregorio Fontana, former Quaestor of the Chamber, has been appointed for Relations with Parliament. Another request from Berlusconi is Alberto Barachini as Undersecretary for Publishing and Valentina Aprea for Education.

Among Berlusconi’s requests there are still Deborah Bergamini, Gianfranco Micciché, Matilde Siracusano and Andrea Mandelli, for a post at Salvation, which, however, seems to want to confirm Noi Moderati.

The other parties

Lorenzo Cesa, national secretary of the SVP, could go to Agriculture, where the blue Francesco Battistoni could be confirmed, although it is difficult for the League to stay out of it, having already lost the ministry. The Northern League also focuses on regional coordinators. Alberto Stefani from Veneto, Nino Minardo from Sicily and Michele Marone from Molise.

The nominations could also include former minister Massimo Garavaglia and also Massimo Bitonci, meanwhile chosen among the group leaders with Riccardo De Corato of FdI and Roberto Pella of FI, for the special commission on the Aid Ter decree.

As for the budget committees, that of the Senate should be chaired by Dario Damiani (FI), while that of the Chamber by a deputy from the FdI. We think of Giulio Tremonti, but different solutions are not excluded.

Meloni’s team at Palazzo Chigi

But Giorgia Meloni’s priority at the moment is to think about the team that will be next to her at Palazzo Chigi. Giovanna Ianniello, its historic spokesperson, could become a communications consultant. Carlo Deodato, current legislative leader, secretary in place of Roberto Chieppa. Francesca Quadri could lead the Department of Legal and Legislative Affairs and Meloni’s right-hand man, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, could become undersecretary in charge of program implementation.