Mario Draghi Finally Quits As Italy's PM

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigned on Thursday, July 21, 2022, after key coalition members skipped a confidence vote, foreshadowing the prospect of an early election and a fresh period of turmoil for Italy and Europe at a vital juncture, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Photo Insert: Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi

During a morning meeting at the Quirinale Palace, Draghi tendered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella. Mattarella, who turned down a similar resignation offer last week, "took note" this time and requested Draghi's government to continue in place as a caretaker.

Draghi's government of national unity crumbled Wednesday when members of his fractious coalition of right, left, and populists refused to reunite to finish the legislature's natural term and assure the implementation of the European Union-funded pandemic recovery program.

Instead, the center-right Forza Italia and League parties, as well as the populist 5-Star Movement, boycotted a Senate confidence vote, signaling their dissatisfaction with Draghi's 17-month government.

Before going to see Mattarella, Draghi told the lower Chamber of Deputies, "Thank you for all the work done together in this period." He reiterated a remark that even central bank chiefs had hearts, clearly affected by the cheers.

On Thursday, Italian newspapers were unanimous in their outrage at the bizarre outcome, given that Italy is coping with mounting inflation and energy bills, Russia's war against Ukraine, and unfinished reforms required to get the remaining 200 billion euros in EU recovery funding.

The front page of La Stampa was headed "Shame." La Repubblica headlined, "Italy Betrayed." Corriere della Sera declared, "Farewell to Draghi's Government."

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