<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Former Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, has been awarded the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation for his role in “defending European integration.”</strong></h4> Mario Draghi, born in Rome, Italy, on September 3, 1947, was appointed Executive Director of the World Bank in 1985, a position he held until 1990. Between 1991 and 2001, he served as Director General of the Italian Treasury under ten governments of varying ideologies. He later joined Goldman Sachs, where he served as Vice President for Europe. In 2005, he was appointed Governor of the Bank of Italy and in 2011, he assumed the presidency of the European Central Bank (ECB), a position he held until 2019. In February 2021, after a period of instability in Italian politics, he was tasked by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Matarella, with forming a new government and was sworn in as President of the Council of Ministers, a position he resigned from in October 2022. "Throughout his career as an economist and statesman, Mario Draghi has been considered a key figure in the defense of European integration and international cooperation," the Princess of Asturias Foundation said in a statement. "Described by some as 'the savior of the euro,' his work as President of the ECB was widely recognized for his firm commitment to the stability of the single currency and to the fundamental values of the European Union," it continued. “During the sovereign debt crisis that began in 2008, his declaration that the ECB would do ‘whatever it takes’ to preserve the single currency was a milestone that restored market confidence and strengthened the cohesion of the European project,” the Foundation emphasized. “The so-called Draghi Plan, launched in 2015 and maintained until 2018, sought to reduce inflation to the 2% level set by the ECB and sustain economic growth in EU countries through the purchase of public and private assets,” it recalled. “Although this plan was criticized for its effectiveness and its potential negative effects on the financial system, many experts have emphasized that it was a fundamental tool for saving the European economy during one of the most serious crises in recent decades,” it added. Later, as Prime Minister of Italy, Draghi led a national unity government with a technical profile, supported by parliamentary forces of diverse ideologies, focused on implementing structural reforms and effectively managing the funds from the Next Generation EU recovery program. “In that role, he promoted multilateralism, cooperation between EU Member States, and the strengthening of Europe's role on the global stage, championing common policies in health, energy transition, and digitalization,” the press release continues. “Recognized for his independence and long-term vision, Draghi has persistently advocated for a more united, resilient, and supportive Europe,” the Foundation noted. “Internationally, he has maintained close ties with the world's leading democracies, helping to align Europe's response to challenges such as the pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts,” it added. In 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tasked Draghi with preparing a report on Europe's competitiveness, “underlining his continued commitment to strengthening the continent's institutions and economies.” The report, presented in 2024, emphasizes the importance of strengthening the Union's ties and developing a common strategy for growth and improving competitiveness, focused on three transformations: innovation, decarbonization, and economic security. A Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Mario Draghi has received numerous awards, including the Grand Collar of the Order of Infante Don Enrique of Portugal, the Federal Cross of Merit of the Republic of Germany, the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Ukraine, the Global Citizen Award of the Atlantic Council (USA, 2015), the Carlos V European Prize (Spain, 2024), and the PoliTO Foresight and Innovation Award (Italy, 2025), among others.
