ROME – Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has reportedly discussed the country’s political crisis with President Sergio Mattarella, sources at the presidential Quirinal Palace told reporters.
Yesterday, Conte held a special meeting of the leaders of the ruling majority to discuss the results of the vote in both houses of the national parliament on the issue of confidence in the government.
At the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue the process of strengthening the majority and to draw up a new coalition agreement, reported Sputnik news agency.
The day before, the Senate voted for confidence in Conte’s cabinet, but the coalition government fell short of the majority neede to secure an absolute majority.
Conte’s fragile government was supported by only 156 lawmakers, while the absolute majority in the upper house is 161 votes.
On Monday, the Chamber of Deputies expressed confidence in Conte, but his administration is in peril amid attacks from former premier Matteo Renzi, whose Viva Italia party pulled out of the coalition despite a looming far-right threat. – Bernama, January 21, 2021
