Outgoing Premier Mario Draghi said on Friday that fears for Italian democracy ahead of the September 25 general election were unfounded, confirming that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told him this week that no Italian names featured in a US intelligence report on Russian funding to foreign parties and politicians.
"I had a telephone call with Blinken and it was the most natural thing to ask what he knew,” Draghi told a news conference.
“He confirmed to me that there were no Italian political parties on the list of those to have benefited from Russian funds.
“Let's not forget that Italian democracy is strong.
“We should be confident and not have any fear about a few rumours.
“It's clear that Russia has conducted a continual operation of corruption in many sectors in Europe and the United States in recent years.
“Italian democracy is strong, it won't get beaten by foreign enemies and their hired puppets".
The former president of the European Central Bank flatly replied “No”, when asked if he would be willing to serve another term as premier.
The centrist ‘Third Pole’ group has said Draghi should stay at the helm of government if there is no clear winner after the election.
