21st July, 2022
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has handed in his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday.
This comes after his government fell apart, plunging the country into political turmoil and hitting financial markets.
A statement from Mattarella’s office said that the head of state had taken note of the resignation and asked Draghi to remain in a caretaker capacity.
Although the statement did not say what Mattarella would do next.
Political sources had said earlier this week that he would likely dissolve parliament and call for early elections in October.
Mattarella planned to meet the speakers of both houses of parliament on Thursday afternoon.
Italy’s coalition crumbled on Wednesday when three of Draghi’s main partners snubbed a confidence vote he had called to try to end divisions and renew their fractious alliance.
The political crisis has up-ended months of stability in Italy, during which the respected former central banker Draghi helped shape Europe’s tough response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and boosted the country’s standing in financial markets.
The president’s office said on Thursday that Draghi’s government would remain in place for the time being to handle current business, but further steps about Italy’s political future were not outlined.
Before meeting Mattarella, Draghi told lawmakers he saw no possibility of continuing to govern after failing to receive broad backing in a Senate confidence vote on Wednesday night.
Reuters/NAN