On 7 July 2020, the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte held a press conference in Rome, Italy.
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LONDON – Italy is facing more political turmoil following the resignation of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday, at a time when the country is facing a serious health and economic crisis.
Italy has been embroiled in political uncertainty for the past three weeks after a small party, Italia Viva, decided to pull out of the Conte-led coalition government. The breakdown in the executive comes after a dispute over the EU pandemic recovery funds, and how they are dispensed with, which has put the country into instability.
Earlier on Tuesday, Conte, who has no political affiliation, told his ministers that he was resigning. He then handed in his official resignation to President Sergio Mattarella. The president has reportedly asked Conte to continue in a caretaker role while consultations are on to form a new government.
However, the resignation is being seen as an attempt to avoid a parliamentary defeat on a Senate vote this weekend.
He survived a vote of confidence last week, but his government has been ousted by a majority working with the departure of Italia Viva – making it difficult for his mandate to pass any major legislation.
“In unsuccessful attempts to broaden their majority, Conte and his government were defeated in a new Senate vote that is currently scheduled for January 27,” said Wolfengo Piccoli, co-chairman of consultancy firm TEDO. pay attention.
He said Conte’s resignation was “an effort to ensure his own political existence.”
Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella must decide whether to give Conte a chance to renegotiate the lawmakers, looking for a majority that will allow him to govern.
Piketty warned, “The Count’s calculation is that by moving quickly, and to avoid a humiliating defeat in the Senate this weekend, he raised the possibility of extending his mandate from Mattarella to form a new government.” ” It is not clear whether Conte can succeed in such an effort. “
If Italian lawmakers have no agreement on a new coalition government with or without Conte as prime minister, voters may have to contest elections sooner rather than later.
“The bottom line is that Italy will continue to be governed by an executive who is not fit for the tough job ahead, as it has been since the last election,” Piccoli said.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
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