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.
Mario Draghi offered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday, but the latter did not accept it and “invited him to come to parliament (…) so that an assessment of the situation could take place”.
A crisis on the crisis
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.
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.
Upcoming elections?
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and far-right leader Matteo Salvini, whose Forza Italia (centre-right) and La Ligue parties are part of the government majority, said on Sunday that they could no longer continue to govern in the five-star rating due to "his incompetence and unreliability".
Berlusconi and Salvini declared themselves ready for elections "even at very short notice", in a joint statement.
Elections are normally scheduled for early 2023.
Planet
COP26: The future British Prime Minister invited to respect carbon neutrality
World
Drought in Italy: Production of olive oil, rice and tomato sauce threatened
World
Prime Minister
Mario Draghi
Italy