Italy PM Mario Draghi resigns after his coalition govt crumbles

In Italy, Prime Minister Mario Draghi tendered his resignation today, after his national unity government fell apart,  paving the way for fresh elections.

Draghi, who led a broad coalition for 18 months,  tendered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella.

President Mattarella has reportedly asked him to remain in place in the interim with a caretaker government.

Draghi's coalition crumbled yesterday when three of his main partners



snubbed a confidence vote he had called to try to end divisions and renew their fractious alliance.

Despite winning the vote, the left-wing Five Star Movement, one of the coalition government's parties, announced it would not participate. The ruling Lega and the Forza Italia parties have also stated that they will not participate.

It paves the way for difficult and unpredictable snap elections in September or October.