Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday dissolved parliament and called early elections, acknowledging the end of the government led by Premier Mario Draghi.
Draghi submitted his resignation on Thursday morning, following the collapse of his broad coalition after three key parties boycotted a crucial confidence vote on his leadership.
In a short speech after meeting the speakers of the lower house and Senate, Mattarella said dissolving parliament was “the last possible choice,” but became “inevitable” in light of the political situation.
The president has asked Draghi to remain in office until a new government is formed.
No date was set for a new election, but they could be held between the end of September and beginning of October.
Mattarella stressed that Italy is facing a series of tough choices and urgent commitments that require parliament’s swift action.
The president reminded political forces about the challenges Italian families and businesses are facing, particularly high inflation, spiking energy and food prices and the effects of the Ukrainian war.
He emphasized the need to implement measures required for support from the European recovery fund.
Although Draghi won a confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, it was without the backing of key parties in his broad coalition.
During a heated debate in the Senate, it became clear that the right-wing League and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia were not keen to remain in government with the 5-Star Movement that triggered the crisis. All three parties refused to take part in the vote.
-AA