Speakers Vote: The Smoke Is Black

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Happening
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There has been talk of an agreement between the Five Star Movement and the center-right. However, the deal fell through when the first opposed the proposal for the appointment of Forza Italia’s Paolo Romani as Speaker of the Senate.

The first step of the new legislature starting on Friday, March 23, is the election of the Speakers of the Italian Parliament. However, all major parties returned blank ballot papers in the first rounds of voting, in both houses.

Negotiations

Indeed, the Five Star Movement, first party in the last March 4 election, the Northern League, Forza Italia and the Democratic Party could not find an agreement. In the last few days, there has been talk of positive negotiations between the Five Star Movement and the center-light coalition (Forza Italia, Northern League, Brothers of Italy). Supposedly, they had agreed on giving on giving the Presidency of the Chamber to the firsts and that of the Senate to the latters.

The deal fell through

However, the deal fell through on Thursday 22, when the Five Stars opposed the proposal for the appointment of Forza Italia’s Paolo Romani as Speaker of the Senate. Romani, former Minister of Economic Development, is currently under investigation for the misuse of a work mobile.

The leader of the Five Star Movement and candidate Prime Minister, Luigi di Maio, declared that his party will never replicate a deal such as the Patto del Nazareno (Nazareno Pact) between Forza Italia and the Democratic Party. Nonetheless, he stressed that the doors are open to discuss about alternative candidates.

Voting procedures

As regards the procedures, the vote for the President of the Chamber is taken by secret ballot and, to finally have the name of the successor to Laura Boldrini, a two-thirds majority vote was initially required. Since an agreement has not been reached, the Chamber will have to proceed to a second scrutiny, where the necessary two-thirds majority includes the blank ballot papers, and then to a third scrutiny, where the decision is taken by a majority of those present and voting.

As regards the Speaker of the Senate, the ballot is equally secret, but an absolute majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the election. Nonetheless, there are multiple scrutinies envisaged once again. If after the first three votes the necessary majority has not yet been secured, the high chamber proceeds with a ballot between the two most voted candidates of the last scrutiny: whoever achieves the majority, even if relative, is elected. In the case of a tie, the oldest candidate wins the presidency.

So much love

In the meanwhile, an ironic mural of a kiss between the leader of the Northern League, Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio, appeared in the streets of Rome.