Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday night submitted his resignation to the president of the Republic, putting an end to his about-14-month-old government.
The announcement came from President Sergio Mattarella’s office, following a tense political day in which Conte addressed the senate, the Telegraph reported.
In an hour-long address to parliament, the prime minister lambasted Salvini, accusing him of precipitating the crisis in the hope of forcing a general election and said, ‘I heard you calling for ‘full powers’ and invoking (demonstrations in) the piazzas to support you, which worries me’.
“We have no need for men with full powers, but for those who have an institutional culture and a sense of responsibility,” the prime minister told a packed parliament.
The resignation of the Italian prime minister was the direct result of a growing tension between the two cabinet coalition allies, anti-immigrant League party and anti-establishment Five-Star Movement (M5S).
The crisis was triggered earlier this month by the League’s leader and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who submitted a no-confidence motion in parliament against the prime minister, claiming the cabinet’s action was not longer effective due to the M5S’ obstructionism.
Meanwhile, President Sergio Mattarella received Giuseppe Conte, who has submitted the resignation of the government he leads,” the president office said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The President has taken note of the resignation, and invited the government to take care of current businesses,”it added. Having accepted Conte’s resignation, Mattarella will lead consultations among all political forces in parliament to see if another majority can be formed.
The first round of talks is expected to start on Wednesday afternoon at 1600 hrs.
(UNI)
