Italian premier to meet president, set to offer resignation

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) – Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi told lawmakers in the lower house of parliament on Thursday he intends to meet President Sergio Mattarella this morning to “communicate his decisions,” after three key parties boycotted a crucial confidence vote on his leadership.

The embattled premier is widely expected to submit his formal resignation to the president, who will then decide the next moves.

The end of the 18-month-long government of the former central banker will most likely lead to an early election, which could take place on Sept. 25 or Oct. 2.

Mattarella could also ask Draghi to remain in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed after the election.

Although the premier 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 the three parties refused to take part in the vote.​​​​​​​