Italian prime minister says will resign amid ruling coalition’s collapse, president rejects plan

“The national unity coalition that backed this government no longer exists,” he said.
Mario Draghi
By Dace Potas

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Thursday he plans to resign from his post, after the largest party in the country's coalition government withdrew its "confidence vote" on a policy package intended to ease rising energy prices.

Despite the boycott by the 5-Star Movement, Draghi's measure passed in the Senate. However, a boycott from one major party of the ruling coalition cast doubts on the future of the government. 

"“The majority of national unity that has sustained this government from its creation doesn’t exist any more," Draghi said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

Draghi planned to resign by Thursday evening. But Italy President Sergio Mattarella rejected his resignation and asked Draghi to again address the Parliament to try again to garner support.

The 5-Star Movement reportedly boycotted the vote in response concerns about polices in the new spending legislation. 

Draghi took power in February 2021 after running on a reformist platform. Italy was due to hold elections before June 2023, and those elections could be moved up following the current turmoil.