Italy’s prime minister, Mario Draghi, is preparing to submit his resignation after losing the parliamentary majority that supported his government. The House of Representatives greeted the development with applause as the news spread through the chamber.
Draghi indicated he would travel to the presidential palace soon to convey his formal resignation to President Sergio Mattarella. He hinted that the president might task Parliament with seeking another majority, a move that could trigger early elections. Alternatively, Mattarella could entrust the task to another technical or institutional figure to manage the transition while the political situation is resolved.
Draghi’s choice to step back followed the decision by three governing coalition partners to withdraw support: Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, Matteo Salvini’s Lega, and Giuseppe Conte’s Five Star Movement (M5S). This shift left the coalition fragile and unable to sustain a stable majority in Parliament.
In the House last week, one partner—M5S—refused to vote on a confidence motion, prompting efforts to rebuild the alliance that had propelled Draghi into power. The prime minister then sought to salvage a national unity coalition in the Senate, but ultimately lost the backing of three key coalition members, including M5S, Forza Italia, and Lega.
Draghi exited the Senate as soon as he learned of his partners’ intentions and before the vote concluded. The chamber ultimately approved the motion with 95 votes in favor and 38 against, with only 133 senators casting ballots out of a 320-strong body.
Since February 2021, The Economist notes that a national unity framework has formed around Draghi, with Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy positioned outside the core anti-establishment bloc. The current crisis intensified when M5S withheld its vote on the confidence measure, causing a rupture within the coalition and pressing Draghi to resign.
President Mattarella, however, rejected the resignation and urged Draghi to pursue a parliamentary solution. He suggested continuing negotiations within the chamber despite the uphill odds posed by the right-wing stance toward M5S. The Senate session continued and the House of Representatives was expected to resume discussion on the following day.
Observers note that Berlusconi and Salvini, along with Meloni, welcomed discussions about an early October vote. They have been pressing for an early electoral path for days, finding sympathy among some opposition factions and poll leaders who indicate broad political realignment could occur if elections are held soon.
Throughout the political stalemate, unions, business groups, and a broad spectrum of associations—along with the Catholic Church—had urged Draghi to remain at the helm to navigate Italy through economic strains, energy concerns, and social pressures. Their appeals emphasized the risks of political instability on the country’s recovery prospects and the broader euro area during a period of financial volatility and persistent energy costs.
The unfolding events have thus placed Draghi at a crossroads among constitutional processes, the ambitions of coalition partners, and the electorate’s evolving preferences. As Italy weighs its next steps, the constitutional framework and the president’s role in shaping a path forward will be crucial in determining whether a new majority can be formed within the existing Parliament or if fresh elections will be called to reset the political equation. The coming days will likely define whether a caretaker arrangement emerges or if a broader, more durable coalition is constructed to govern during an anticipated period of economic recalibration.
In these moments, commentators stress that the outcome will not only influence domestic policy but could also shape Italy’s standing in the European Union as leaders anticipate how the government will address energy prices, public spending, and social welfare in the near term. The situation remains fluid, with public sentiment closely watched by markets and international partners who seek stability amid a complex and evolving political landscape.
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