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Italian PM Conte to resign on Tuesday amid political turmoil

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is to offer his resignation on Tuesday, his office said. Photo by Roberto Mondalod/EPA-EFE
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is to offer his resignation on Tuesday, his office said. Photo by Roberto Mondalod/EPA-EFE

Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will resign on Tuesday, his office said Monday night, further deepening the country in political crisis as it battles the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, his office said Conte will offer his resignation to the Presidential Palace after informing his intentions to the council of ministers, which is to convene 9 a.m. Tuesday.

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After offering his resignation, Conte will see President Sergio Mattarella, it said.

The announcement of his resignation was made after he survived two votes of confidence in parliament last week.

Italy was submerged in political turmoil after former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi withdrew his small Italia Viva Party from the ruling coalition, weakening Conte's majority government.

Renzi had threatened earlier this month to end his support of Conte if the prime minister didn't address his concerns over economic recovery and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which, according to the Italian government, has sickened nearly 2.5 million people, killing more than 85,000 of them.

Matterella may choose to reject Conte's resignation, urging him to form a stronger coalition government, which currently consists of the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement.

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The MFS said in a statement that it would "remain at Conte's side."

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