Italian President signs decree on dissolving Parliament

The head of state had already received Mario Draghi, the country's outgoing prime minister, and the speakers of both houses of parliament, in accordance with the country's constitution.

According to the report, "Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic, signed a decree to dissolve the Senate of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies, which was countersigned by the president of the Council of Ministers, in accordance with Article 88 of the Constitution, after hearing from the presidents of the two houses of parliament."

After that, within 60 to 70 days of the decree's promulgation, early parliamentary elections are to be held. The nation's council of ministers, who will meet on Thursday night, will choose the precise date of the elections.


President Mattarella declared his decision to dissolve parliament early after the decree and stated there was no chance of assembling a new majority. Speaking in the Quirinal Palace, he noted that early chamber dissolution "is usually the last decision, especially if, as at this time, the chambers have essential commitments to fulfill."

source: reuters.com