Center-right parties ask Italian PM for new gov't, without 5-Stars

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - Italy’s ruling center-right parties – Matteo Salvini’s League and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia – on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Mario Draghi to lead a new government that should not include the 5-Star Movement, further complicating prospects of finding a solution to the ongoing government crisis.

The request came during the parliamentary debate that followed Draghi’s speech in the Senate, where he called for a new coalition pact able to fully support his government and allow it to continue its reforming action.

The League and Forza Italia made clear that they are ready to back a new Draghi-led government, based on the condition that the 5 Stars – who sparked the crisis by walking out in a key confidence vote last week – are not part of it.

Massimiliano Romeo, the League group leader in the Senate, openly called for a new coalition and a new majority. Later in the afternoon, the two parties also issued a joint statement saying they were available for a new coalition pact only if that reflected “a deeply renewed” Cabinet.

The center-right move further complicated Draghi’s decision on whether to stay or to leave, after his resignation was rejected last week by President Sergio Mattarella.

The premier will likely wait for the outcome of a confidence vote in the Senate set for Wednesday evening to decide if he has a wide-enough majority and the needed conditions to keep governing.

If Draghi decides to confirm his resignation, the ball will be in the court of President Mattarella, who will likely dissolve the chambers and call for new elections in October. However, he could also ask Draghi to stay in place until a new government is formed to ensure political stability amid tough economic choices and key European commitments.