code:

effect = {
   change_tag = ITA
   if = {
      limit = {
         is_part_of_hre = yes
         is_elector = no
         is_emperor = no
      }
      emperor = {
         add_opinion = {
            who = root
            modifier = opinion_left_empire
         }
      }
      set_in_empire = no
      emperor = {
         country_event = { id = hre_event.5 }
      }
   }
   if = {
      limit = {
         NOT = { government_rank = 2 }
      }
      set_government_rank = 2
   }
   italian_region = {
      limit = {
         NOT = { owned_by = ROOT }
      }
      add_claim = ITA
   }
   add_prestige = 25
   ITA = {
      set_capital = 118
   }
   if = {
      limit = {
         government = republic
      }
      change_government = despotic_monarchy
   }
   swap_free_idea_group = yes		#keep progress              <------------- This one.
}
ai_will_do = {
   factor = 1
   modifier = {
      factor = 0
      government = republic
   }
}