Italian Prime Minister Resigns

The Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi has resigned.

The resignation comes a year and half after he was appointed as Italy’s unelected head of a unity government.

He told President Sergio Mattarella he was standing down after three parties in his government refused to back him in a confidence vote the night before.

The president asked to continue as caretaker leader until early elections this autumn.

Eurozone Crisis
Mr. Draghi was dubbed Super Mario for his handling of the eurozone crisis as head of the European Central Bank. Last year, he was given the task of guiding Italy through the Covid pandemic and economic recovery, bolstered by a big EU package conditional on major reforms.

Resignation
He first tendered his resignation a week ago when a populist party in his broad-based government refused to back his economic package, prompting a political crisis, which lead to President Mattarella asking him to reconsider the position.

According to reports, Mr. Draghi told the upper house of parliament he would continue if the political parties were ready to back a strong, cohesive government with a “new pact of trust.”

However, three of the parties decided they would not back him in a vote of confidence.

Before heading to the presidential palace, the Quirinale, Mr. Draghi addressed the lower house of parliament and was given a round of applause. “Even central bankers have their hearts touched sometimes. Thank you for all the work done in this period,” he said.

President Mattarella said his government would remain in office to handle current affairs, but did not say exactly what would happen next. Elections were due to take place in the first half of 2023, but will most likely be brought forward to October.

BBC/MO/CO