When is the vote held?

The chairmen of the groups in the Senate will meet on Monday to determine a date for the vote of no confidence. According to the rules of the Senate, the vote must be held within ten days of the issue being raised.

Who are the political players?

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who heads the anti-xenophobic party Lega, and populist Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio, also he Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Economic Development. Lega and the Five Star Movement lead a coalition government, which in recent months has been deeply divisive and openly open on various issues. The government is headed by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who does not belong to any of the parties. In addition, there is President Sergio Mattarella, who is an important power player.

Is it running for the government?

If Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte loses the vote of no confidence, he must resign, but if he can pass the vote, he can continue. He also has the choice to leave immediately, without waiting for the disbelief vote.

Will it be new election?

Probably, but it's not safe. Only the Head of State, President Sergio Mattarella, has the power to dissolve Parliament. He will announce new elections only if it proves impossible to form a new government. He must first hold talks with, among other things, all party leaders whose parties are represented in Parliament before dissolving it.

Can a new government be formed without a new election?

Yes, but probably it's hard to find a new coalition. One possibility could be that the Five Star Movement and the opposition party PD merge their bags. However, it will be a swaying majority with a squat chair, and will probably need support from others to build a stable majority. Representatives of both PD and the Five Star Movement have previously expressed skepticism about the idea of ​​a coalition.

When can new elections be held?

It depends on how long it takes for a new election to be announced. Mattarella has been clear that he wants a government in place to approve the 2020 budget this fall, which means fresh elections must be held in October or wait until next year. If elections are not held in October and no alternative coalition is formed in the fall, the president can try to get a technocrat government during a transitional period. However, such needs need secure support from Parliament. Italy has not held any elections during the autumn since the Second World War.

What could be the result of a new election?

Lega has grown significantly since the previous national elections and doubled its support. According to opinion polls, Lega now receives between 34 and 39 percent of the vote. In the EU elections in May, Lega received 34 percent of the vote, in contrast to 17 percent in the national election last year. At the same time, support for the Five Star Movement fell to just over 17 percent in the EU election, compared to 32.5 percent in the national election.