Premier Giuseppe Conte was
considering his options on Thursday after ex-premier Matteo
Renzi triggered a government crisis by pulling the support of
his Italia Viva (IV) party.
IV's two ministers finally resigned on Wednesday after weeks of
threats from the centrist group focused on differences over the
government's COVID-19 Recovery Plan and its failure to take up
the option to obtain around 37 billion euros from the European
Stability Mechanism to invest in the national health system.
As a result Conte's coalition executive, which also had the
backing of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), the 5-Star
Movement and the left-wing LeU group, does not appear to have a
working majority in parliament.
Conte said IV's move, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic,
had caused "considerable damage" to the country.
Conte's options include calling a vote in parliament to see if
his executive does have the support of the majority of
lawmakers, perhaps with the backing of some so far unidentified
'responsible' MPs from outside the ruling coalition.
He could also try to form new government or decide to resign.
The centre-right opposition is demanding snap elections.
The premier is expected to make an announcement within hours as
President Sergio Mattarela has called for the crisis to be
brought to a rapid conclusion.
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