Italy's president dissolves Parliament after Draghi resigns

MADRID, 21 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, dissolved the country's Parliament on Thursday after the resignation of the now acting prime minister, Mario Draghi, who did not obtain the support of his government partners on Wednesday in a second matter of confidence in the Senate .

Mattarella has thus signed the decree that dissolves the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the country, the two chambers that make up Parliament, as indicated in article 88 of the Italian Constitution. The decree has been endorsed by Draghi himself, as government sources have indicated.

The decree in question will be sent to the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati and Roberto Rico, respectively. Shortly before making the decision, the head of state had met with both at the Quirinal Palace.

Shortly after, Mattarella has assured that the dissolution was "inevitable in the absence of a new majority" and has pointed out that the elections will have to be held in a period of 70 days. In addition, he has urged the different political parties to "work for Italy despite the results".

"I thank Draghi and the government ministers for their commitment over the last 18 months. The government has run into limitations on its activities, but it has the tools to operate over the next few months until a new executive arrives," he said. asserted the president, who has stressed that a "pause is inadmissible" given that, "in these times, there are many obligations that are in the interest of Italy".