Italy may face new election as prime minister loses majority, resigns | Eastern NC Now

Italy's caretaker "unity" government is teetering as it has lost its majority and the caretaker Prime Minister Mario Draghi, a favorite of the EU, has tendered his resignation.  The president did not accept the resignation today but without a majority to pass legislation, it appears only a matter of time until the government falls.  A new election could be held as early as September.

The government's problems began when its largest party, the Five Star Movement, a populist party whose ideology is a mish-mash of left and right bailed out.  Five Star was likely trying to distance itself from the unpopular government as regular elections would be due next year anyway.

Topping polls for a new election is the Brothers of Italy, an ultra-conservative party that despite its name is led by a woman, Senator Giorgia Meloni.  The Brothers of Italy were the only party to refuse to participate in the caretake government and have benefitted greatly from being in opposition throughout Draghi's tenure.  Meloni's party is part of a three party conservative coalition with Matteo Salvini's populist nationalist anti-immigration League and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's traditional conservative Forza Italia, and polls show that coalition would win a majority in the upcoming election.  All three take very strong stands against illegal immigration.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11014779/Italian-PM-QUITS-coalition-government-collapses.html