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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Italy's president rejects Prime Minester Mario Draghi's resignation
National flag of Italy (Photo: Pixabay)

Italy's president on Thursday (July 14) rejected the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, asking him to address parliament next week after a party in the ruling coalition withdrew its support for his government.

In a meeting with Draghi following a Senate walkout by lawmakers from the 5-Star Movement amid a key confidence vote earlier on Thursday, Sergio Mattarella said in a statement that he had rejected the premier’s resignation, asking him to give lawmakers the chance to evaluate the latest political developments.

The 5-Stars, a key partner in the ruling coalition, walked out of a key confidence vote in the country's Senate earlier on Thursday, forcing the premier to acknowledge the government's collapse.

Draghi had said in a statement: "I want to announce that this evening, I will tender my resignation in the hands of the President of the Republic. Today's vote in parliament is a very significant event from a political point of view.”

He added: "The national unity majority that has supported this government since its creation doesn't exist anymore.”

Duomo square in Milano, Italy (File photo: Pixabay)

The premier is expected to address parliament on Wednesday, but his words did not leave much space for a change of mind.

Draghi said he attempted to keep the government together and meet some of the 5-Stars' demands.

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He underlined that he was committed to leading the government only if able to pursue policies that lawmakers had voted for, including economic support for households and businesses, a condition now impossible to meet without a legislative majority.

If Draghi fails to win a new vote of confidence, the president could consider creating another transitional government to lead Italy to new elections in early 2023.

The prospect of early elections in the fall remains a possibility, but conflicts with the need of having a government in place to draft a crucial budget law amid harsh economic difficulties for families and businesses.

Source: aa