ROME (AP) — Italy's president has rebuffed Premier Mario Draghi's offer to resign after a key ally refused to back the government in a Senate vote.
The presidential office said Thursday evening that President Sergio Mattarella “didn't accept the resignation and invited the premier to go to Parliament” to find support for his national unity government.
Draghi, who was snubbed earlier in the day by his populist 5-Star movement allies, had told his Cabinet he was resigning because the majority that backed his government since its creation last year no longer exists.
The bill in question had to do with rising energy costs and new government investments, according to The New York Times.
If the political crisis isn't resolved, Italy's president could dissolve Parliament, triggering an early election as soon as late September.
Draghi is now expected to seek more support in Parliament next week.
He has only been in office since Feb. 2021.