The Prime Minister resigns - government crisis in Italy

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Adrian Ericson 

 

Published: Less than 1 hour ago 

 

Updated: Less than 10 minutes ago 

 

 

Mario Draghi. Photo: Mauro Scrobogna / AP 

 

NEWS 

 

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigns. 

 

A boycott vote by the populist party Five Star Movement was dropped. 

 

Italy is now facing a government crisis. 

 

Mario Draghi had just passed a vote on a support package for the Italians' rising cost of living. 

 

But just hours later, he announced his resignation. 

 

The reason: The populist party Femstjärnerörelsen, part of the fragile governing coalition, chose to boycott the vote. The party had previously threatened to overthrow the government - if the 23 billion euro package were to go through. The five stars believe that the support package is too small. 

 

After the party's lack of support, Draghi went directly to President Sergio Mattarella. It was an hour-long conversation. 

 

Later in the evening, after a moment of reflection, the message finally came. "I will submit my resignation to the president tonight," Draghi said, according to the BBC. 

 

The choice can be moved forward 

 

The message means that Italy is once again heading for political chaos. 

 

The 74-year-old Draghi, who was previously head of the European Central Bank, has held the post since the beginning of 2021. He then emerged as a confident figure after a very turbulent political period.

Draghi, who himself does not belong to any party, has since led a motley crowd of parties from right to left. 

"The national unit and the majority that supported this government since its inception no longer exist," Draghi said.  

Next year, regular parliamentary elections await in Italy - but the election will probably be postponed after Draghi's departure, writes BBC.