In a calculated strategic move, on August 20, 2019, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte delivered his resignation papers to the President, Sergio Mattarella. Handing in a resignation, instead of waiting for a no-confidence vote, acts to foil the election plans and timelines envisioned by Mateo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister. Mattarella must now decide between various possible responses. Given that a clear majority coalition does not arise, options for Mattarella include calling for a confidence vote on a government formed by various leaders of Parliament or calling for a confidence vote on a nonpartisan technocratic short-term government. Major parties must now move quickly to finalize coalition lines in an attempt to secure the majority coalition.
Both the Five Star Movement (5S) and the League (Lega) parties originally formed a coalition in June 2018 to secure office for the Independent Conte. Now, leaders of the divided parties seek other allies in an attempt to establish strong enough coalitions. The Five Star Movement has begun to foster ties with the Democratic Party (PD), while the League may attempt to align with Forza Italia or Fratelli d’Italia. Some believe that the League may not require a coalition partner at all. Adding to the sense of urgency, if elections are delayed past October, any new coalition will not have power over the new year’s fiscal budget.
