Italy's prime minister announces resignation

Italy's prime minister announces resignation

Infighting within Italy's ruling coalition leads to the resignation of the country's prime minister, barely a year into his term.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (R), flanked by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini (L), delivers a speech at the Italian Senate, in Rome, on August 20, 2019
Image: Matteo Salvini (L) sat next to Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte as he resigned
The Italian prime minister has announced he will resign after his populist government lost the support of a key coalition member - Matteo Salvini's League.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte launched a fierce attack on Mr Salvini, who served as deputy PM as well as interior minister, accusing him of trying to ruin the ruling coalition for personal and political gain.
Earlier this month, Mr Salvini pulled the plug on his party's alliance with the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, after months of bickering over key policies.
Mr Conte told a packed Senate that Mr Salvini "has shown that he is following his own interests and those of his party.
"His decisions pose serious risks for this country."
He described Mr Salvini's actions as "serious institutional recklessness, above all showing disrespect to parliament and liable to tip the country into a spiral of political uncertainty and financial instability".
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini delivers as speech at the Italian Senate, in Rome, on August 20, 2019
Image: Matteo Salvini wants to exploit the League's popularity by forcing an early election
Later today Mr Conte will now inform Italy's president, Sergio Mattarella, of his decision.
Mr Mattarella could then ask Mr Conte to stay on and try to find an alternative majority in parliament. Or he could accept the resignation and allow another leader the chance to put together a coalition.
If these fail, Mr Mattarella could dissolve parliament and hold a new election as early as October.
Members of the far-right League party congratulates Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini (C) following his speech at the Italian Senate, in Rome, on August 20, 2019
Image: Matteo Salvini was congratulated by members of his League party after his speech
Sitting next to Mr Conte, who does not belong to either of the coalition's two parties, Mr Salvini shook his head and rolled his eyes as his actions were criticised.
With his right-wing party experiencing growing popularity, Mr Salvini wants to force an election more than three years ahead of schedule.
Responding to Mr Conte's accusations, Mr Salvini said his goal was to challenge the European Union's fiscal rules, which he has blamed for making Italy poorer.
He also said he was not afraid of an early election, adding that he would "do again everything I did... I'm a free man and I don't fear Italians' judgement".
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Minister Luigi di Maio and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte react during a session of the upper house of parliament
Image: Mr Conte with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Minister Luigi di Maio (R)
Earlier in the day, Luigi Di Maio, head of the 5-Star Movement, had hinted at what might be coming, with a Facebook post thanking the prime minister.
He wrote: "Whatever happens, I wanted to tell you that it was an honour to work together in this government."
The Italian stock market index fell by more than 1% on the news as investors moved towards safe-haven assets such as government bonds.