Italian president calls for ‘realistic proposals’ ahead of election

President Sergio Mattarella on Sunday urged political parties to make realistic proposals for Italy’s problems, especially joblessness, ahead of a March election.

Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, Mr Mattarella does have the power to pick prime ministers and dissolve Parliament, which he did this week to open the way for a March 4 election.

“The duty to make adequate proposals – realistic and concrete ones – is a must, given the dimension of the problems our country faces,” Mr Mattarella said during a traditional end-year speech broadcast live on national television.

“Yet again I must underscore that jobs remain the primary and most serious social issue, especially for the young,” Mr Mattarella added in his unusually brief 10-minute address.

Italy’s economy, the eurozone’s third-biggest, probably grew this year at its fastest rate since 2010 but remains among the most sluggish in Europe. Unemployment remains above 11 per cent, while youth joblessness is about 35 per cent.

Though Italy has the largest public debt in the eurozone after Greece’s, all the main political forces are pledging to raise the budget deficit if they win the election, with policies ranging from...