A relief plan to assist Italians with rising energy costs passed with a vote of 172-39...
Digital Desk: Italy's President Sergio Mattarella refused to accept Prime Minister Mario Draghi's resignation on Thursday, sparking a political crisis that experts say might lead to early elections in the eurozone's third largest economy.
The presidential palace stated that Mattarella "did not accept the resignation and invited the prime minister to appear before parliament to make a statement," amid speculations that Draghi would face parliament next week to determine whether he has the required majority to continue.
In response to a coalition ally's refusal to support a government bill, Draghi informed his cabinet that he would submit his resignation to the President on Thursday evening.
In a statement issued by his office, Draghi claimed, "The majority of national unity that has supported this government from its beginning doesn't exist any longer."
On Thursday, he won a Senate vote of confidence, but the future of his fragile unity government was in doubt as the populist 5-Star Movement boycotted the vote, putting his alliance into risk.
A relief plan to assist Italians with rising energy costs passed with a vote of 172-39, although senators from the 5-Stars party abstain after stating they would not vote.
The populists were among the coalition members who agreed to join Draghi's government last year, and Draghi has made it clear that he wouldn't continue without them.
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