[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Mario Draghi, the Prime Minister of Italy, who is facing a crisis due to the exit of the Five Star Movement (M5S), Italy's largest party, from the coalition government, has decided to resign.
According to the BBC and others, Prime Minister Draghi announced his intention to resign at a cabinet meeting on the 14th (local time). He stated, "The national unity that has supported the coalition government no longer exists."
However, President Mattarella rejected Prime Minister Draghi's resignation. The presidential office also confirmed that he requested Draghi to address the parliament to clarify the political situation.
Prime Minister Draghi, a former president of the European Central Bank (ECB), took office in February last year as the successor to former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who resigned after the collapse of the coalition government. Recently, however, the Five Star Movement led by former Prime Minister Conte boycotted cabinet votes on new livelihood support bills related to the energy crisis and rising prices, causing conflicts.
With the submission of Prime Minister Draghi's resignation, concerns are spreading that a political crisis could recur in Italy after one year and five months. Although elections are scheduled for early 2023, the BBC reported that if Draghi's resignation is confirmed, the elections could be moved up to the fall.
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