Politics

Italian PM calls for support to rebuild coalition government

Rome, Jul 20 (EFE).- Italy’s prime minister Mario Draghi called Wednesday for unity among senators to rebuild his coalition after the country’s largest party withdrew from his governing pact.

“Italy is strong when it knows how to be united,” Draghi told Parliament in a speech ahead of a vote of confidence.

“The only way to stay together is to rebuild this pact from the beginning, with courage, selflessness, and credibility.

“Are you ready to rebuild this pact?” he said, adding that it was Italians, above all, who were asking for this.

Draghi put forward his resignation on Thursday last week after Five Star Movement (M5S) refused to back the coalition in a parliamentary confidence vote.

His resignation was rejected by president Sergio Mattarella, who asked Draghi to stay on and try to save the coalition government.

Senators were given a few hours to debate on Draghi’s address to Parliament before a vote of confidence.

The preferred option for most of the coalition parties — except for the far-right League, led by Matteo Salvini — is a ‘national unity’ government led by Draghi.

The biggest obstacle appears to be Salvini, who has spoken out in favor of calling snap elections, following in the footsteps of the leader of the ultra-conservative Brothers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, who currently leads in the polls.

If a political solution cannot be found, an election slated for spring will likely be brought forward.

Italy is struggling with an energy crisis and soaring inflation. It also needs reforms to receive millions in pandemic recovery funds from the EU. EFE

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