Italian PM Draghi resigns after attempt to salvage coalition fails
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The departure will almost certainly result in hasty elections, which might take place as early as late September.
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Italian PM Draghi resigns after the attempt to salvage coalition fails.
Mario Draghi has resigned as Italy's Prime Minister after an attempt to save his wide coalition failed when three important parties voted against a confidence motion, setting the path for quick elections as early as late September.
With a wave of public support, the former European Central Bank chief wanted to maintain his administration on the condition that his alliance "rebuild a contract of trust" that would allow it to work together to confront massive problems in the coming months.
On Thursday morning, Draghi formally submitted his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella, who accepted it.
The populist Five Star Movement (M5S), Matteo Salvini's far-right League, and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia, on the other hand, did not vote in a Senate confidence motion on Thursday night, which effectively asked parties to accept a spirit of cooperation.
As such, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi's time is up after three major parties refused to support him. Draghi's resignation will throw the country into months of political upheaval at a time when economic warning lights are flashing.
While President Sergio Mattarella may still try to form a new administration with a parliamentary majority, quick elections in the fall are the most likely conclusion.
The premier won a vote of confidence late Wednesday, with 95 senators voting in favor and 28 voting against. However, the ballot was meaningless because the center-right League and Forza Italia, as well as the Five Star Movement, did not vote.
Draghi first volunteered to resign last week, when the Five Star Movement, a major coalition partner, snubbed another vote of confidence in his administration.
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