Draghi's Lasting Legacy: Former ECB President Still Shaping EU Agenda

Mario Draghi, the former president of the European Central Bank, remains at the heart of EU politics despite no longer holding any official position. At 79, he is still a powerful figure in European integration, and his recent report on the competitiveness of the EU has had a significant impact.

Draghi's report, published two years ago, delivered a stark assessment: Europe risks a 'slow agony' of economic decline if it does not reform. This view has been widely accepted by European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, who has made it her roadmap for the European Commission.

'For [von der Leyen], it can't be easy to lead the Commission but be constantly brought back to an external report,' said economist Laurence Boone. Draghi's influence extends beyond his written reports; he is known for being a skilled communicator who can speak to both political leaders and financial markets.

Draghi welcomed journalists to his office at the Banca d'Italia in Rome, where they conducted an off-the-record meeting. He avoided discussing gossip or confidences about his contacts with world leaders, maintaining his reputation as a sphinx-like figure.