MNI: Italy PM Draghi Expects To Quit Next Wednesday - Sources

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is preparing to resign definitively in parliament next Wednesday without a clear sign of support from restive parties upon which his governing coalition depends, something which he thinks is very unlikely, a government source close to Draghi told MNI.

Draghi has no intention of seeking a deal with parties to continue his government for several months more in order to approve still-pending reforms and laws, the source said.

Another source close to the PM confirmed Draghi’s thinking, but said that there might be a “chance of convincing him to stay”.

The Italian PM thinks that even if the populist Five-Stars Movement decides to back him again after yesterday’s abstention on a confidence vote then other parties such as the hard-right League would step up to make trouble, reducing the chances of success for his reform agenda, the first source said.

Draghi is expected to address both houses of parliament on Wednesday as he presents plans for government, which would usually be put to the vote in both chambers. It is no longer clear whether these votes will take place.

“Draghi could say I finish here and there is no vote,” Stefano Ceccanti, a constitutional expert and legislator for the centre-left Democratic Party told MNI.