Italy’s Draghi visits Algeria for gas conversations while the political problem persists at home With his government’s fate in limbo, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is visiting Algiers on Monday to conclude deals seeking to boost Italy’s gas supplies as Europeans brace for a possible cut-off of from their old supplier.
The Italian delegation includes a range of high-ranking ministers including the foreign minister, interior minister, justice minister, and ecological transition ministers showing just how important the government considers the meeting. They’ll hold a day of talks, meet with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and sign joint agreements. Algeria is set to replace Italy’s gas supplier as Italy’s main gas supplier after energy giant Sonatrach and Italy’s ENI reached a major agreement to increase gas exports during a trip by Draghi to Algeria in April.
Monday’s trip comes at a dangerous time for Draghi, who had to cut it a day short because of political troubles at home. The main partner in his pandemic unity government, the populist 5-Star Movement, boycotted a confidence vote in the Senate last week on an energy costs relief bill, endangering the survival of the 17-month-old administration.
Draghi tendered his resignation following the vote, but it was rejected by President Sergio Mattarella in the hope he would find a consensus to stave off early elections at a time of international tumult and economic tension. The political turmoil has forced Draghi to reduce his Algeria visit from two days to just one.
Europe is trying to stop its dependence on their supplier. Italy is especially dependent on natural gas to generate electricity, heat and cool homes, and power its industry. Italy has also been reaching out to other energy-producing nations to secure alternate sources, including Azerbaijan, Qatar, Congo, Angola, and Mozambique.
