In Brussels, Mario Draghi's name is being mentioned again as the next head of the European Council, after Charles Michel, who has recently declared his decision to step down in order to compete in the European elections. Draghi's name, which appears to be favored in particular by French President Emmanuel Macron, could be hindered by its "unpolitical" component. Draghi, 76, is the former president of the European Central Bank who is credited for saving the euro during the crisis. As Prime Minister of Italy, he withdrew from politics at the end of 2022 when the country held early elections, which resulted in the appointment of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Draghi is well-known in Brussels, so much so that the European Commission has tasked him with the drafting of a report on industrial competitiveness that should be presented after the European elections. However, unlike the other names on the list, Draghi is not a member of any of the major European political parties, which is a non-negligible factor in the appointment of the President of the European Council, the body that brings together the Heads of Government of the Member States of the European Union and decides on their priorities and general political orientations.
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