Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigns, sparking scramble for new allies

Giuseppe Conte. Picture: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, pool

Italian PM Giuseppe Conte has resigned after a key coalition ally withdrew his party’s support over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, setting the stage for consultations this week to determine if he can form a third government.

Mr Conte tendered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella, who held off on any immediate decision other than to ask him to keep the government running in the near-term, Mr Mattarella’s office said.