Italy’s loss of Mario Draghi is a warning to progressives across Europe – and to the EU

‘Mario Draghi’s international prestige is no excuse for ignoring the shortfalls of his technocratic approach.’ Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

In a summer overshadowed by war in Europe, a pandemic, an energy and cost of living crisis and climate chaos, Italy has decided to follow the UK and trigger a government collapse.

Mario Draghi, the internationally admired former head of the European Central Bank, was never elected but was called upon in 2021 to lead a temporary government of national unity. That unity ended last week.