Italian President has turned down PM, Mario Draghi’s offer to resign following coalition crumble

Italy’s head of state has rejected the prime minister’s resignation, calling on the leader to address parliament first.

President Sergio Mattarella says he wants PM Mario Draghi to get a clearer picture of the political situation before he stands down.

Draghi submitted his resignation after a key party within his coalition government, the 5 Star Movement, withdrew its support in a confidence vote.

In a statement, the PM says the ‘pact of trust’ previously sustaining the government, has gone.

The former head of the European Central Bank has been leader of the coalition government since February 2021.

President Mattarella appointed Draghi to lead the nation’s post-Covid pandemic recovery efforts. It’s not clear what the President’s true motives are in rejecting the resignation.