by Crispian Balmer
ROME, July 17 (Reuters) – Calls grew over the weekend for Mario Draghi to reverse his decision to step down as Prime Minister and allow Italy to avoid another political crisis.
The former central banker resigned last week after the Five Star Movement (M5S) refused to back him in a vote of confidence.
President Sergio Mattarella rejected his resignation and asked him to address parliament next week, hoping he would find a consensus to avoid early elections at a time of international turmoil and economic tensions.
The populist 5-star party, torn by internal divisions, says it has not withdrawn from the coalition, but has asked Mario Draghi to give it guarantees that it will implement its political promises, starting with the salary minimum.
“We cannot share the government’s responsibility if there is no certainty on the issues we have highlighted,” M5S leader Giuseppe Conte said on Facebook late Saturday.
A source in the Prime Minister’s Office said Mario Draghi would not give any “ultimatum” and remained determined to resign.
The mayors of 110 Italian cities, including the ten main metropolitan areas, said in an open letter that they were following the turmoil with “disbelief and concern” and called on all parties to demonstrate responsibility.
“We, the mayors, who are called upon every day to manage and solve the problems that afflict our citizens, ask Mario Draghi to go ahead and explain to Parliament why the government must continue,” they wrote.
A series of industrial, agricultural and trade federations also issued statements urging the government to continue its action, while the head of Italy’s biggest union said stability was essential.
“I am not taking sides, but I will say that we have a government that has not lost any vote of confidence,” said Maurizio Landini, leader of the CGIL union, to the daily La Repubblica. (French version Nicolas Delame)