More than 1,000 Italian mayors signed a petition on Sunday asking Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who wanted to resign on Thursday, to stay in his post.
"
The government must continue
", they declare in a petition which was notably signed by the mayors of Florence, Rome and Venice.
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Mario Draghi offered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday, but the latter did not accept it and "
invited him to appear in parliament (...) so that an assessment of the situation could take place
".
Mario Draghi wanted to resign because of the non-participation of the 5 Star Movement (M5S, antisystem), member of the ruling coalition, in a vote of confidence requested by the government.
In their petition, the mayors stigmatized "
the irresponsible behavior
" of the 5 Star Movement.
"Disbelief and Worry"
They also stressed following "
with disbelief and concern
" the political events in Italy.
The exit from the crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the social emergency imply that "
today more than ever, we need stability, certainty and coherence in order to continue the transformation of our cities
", they continue.
Read alsoItaly's modernization projects at a standstill
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and far-right leader Matteo Salvini, whose center- right
Forza Italia
and
La Ligue
parties are part of the governing majority, said on Sunday he could no longer continue to govern alongside of
Five Stars
because of "
his incompetence and unreliability
".
Silvio Berlusconi and Matteo Salvini declared themselves ready for elections "
even at a very short notice
", in a joint press release.
Elections are normally scheduled for early 2023.
