Status: 07/14/2022 7:30 p.m
Italian Prime Minister Draghi has announced his resignation for tonight. He had previously won a confidence vote in the Senate. However, the co-governing Five Star Movement stayed away from the vote.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has announced his resignation because of a government crisis triggered by the Five Star Movement. “Tonight I will present my resignation to the President,” Draghi told the cabinet.
Boycotted confidence vote
This was preceded by a days-long dispute with the co-governing Five Star Movement over a vote on a multi-billion dollar aid decree in the Senate, which also involved a vote of confidence. The star senators stayed away from the vote and thus refused Draghi their confidence.
Five-star party leader Conte spoke out against Draghi’s economic stimulus package.
Image: AP
The Senate – the smaller chamber in the Italian two-chamber parliament – finally voted in favor of the decree with 172 votes, 39 MPs voted against. The decree provides billions in aid and investments for families and companies. But the five stars demand more money. Party leader Giuseppe Conte also sees demands such as the introduction of a minimum wage not being met.
Draghi had previously warned that he would not continue to lead the unity government formed in February 2021 to deal with the Corona crisis and its economic consequences without the support of the Five Star Movement. The coalition of “national unity” that supported his government no longer exists, he now explained. This means that the conditions for continuing his work are no longer given.
President must determine further course of action
Now President Sergio Mattarella has to decide on the further procedure for solving the government crisis. He could persuade Draghi to remain in office and face another no-confidence vote in the next few days. Alternatively, he could appoint an interim prime minister before the regular parliamentary elections in the first half of next year.
An election could be brought forward to autumn. This would be unusual, however, because this is the time when the budget, which has to be approved by the end of the year, is traditionally prepared.