Italy Plunges Into Political Crisis After Govt Talks Collapse
Italy could be forced to hold new elections after Giuseppe Conte gave up his bid to form a government following the collapse of talks with the President Sergio Mattarella over including a eurosceptic economy minister in his cabinet.
Conte, 53, a lawyer and political novice, picked for prime minister by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and far-right League seeking to create a coalition government, was given the green light to form his cabinet on Wednesday, but he still had to present a list of ministers that the head of state would agreed to before his government could seek approval in parliament.
“I have given up my mandate to form the government of change,” said Conte to reporters after leaving failed talks with President Sergio Mattarella.
Conte’s decision to step aside leaves Italy in a political crisis nearly three months after March’s inconclusive general election.
Following the collapsed talks, Mattarella has summoned Carlo Cottarelli, former director of the International Monetary Fund’s fiscal affairs department, for talks on Monday, with a temporary technical government now looking inevitable as Italy faces the strong possibility of new elections in the autumn.
Cottarelli, 64, worked at the International Monetary Fund from 2008 to 2013 and became known as “Mr Scissors” for making cuts to public spending in Italy.
