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Italian PM Enrico Letta to tender resignation on Friday | Italian PM Enrico Letta to tender resignation on Friday |
(35 minutes later) | |
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta has said he will resign on Friday after his Democratic Party backed a call for a new administration. | Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta has said he will resign on Friday after his Democratic Party backed a call for a new administration. |
Party leader Matteo Renzi had earlier called for a change of government at a party meeting, saying the country could not go on in "uncertainty". | Party leader Matteo Renzi had earlier called for a change of government at a party meeting, saying the country could not go on in "uncertainty". |
Speculation has been rife that Mr Renzi wants to take over as prime minister. | Speculation has been rife that Mr Renzi wants to take over as prime minister. |
He is eight years younger than Mr Letta and was elected leader of the party in December. | He is eight years younger than Mr Letta and was elected leader of the party in December. |
Mr Letta said in a statement that his decision followed "the decision taken today by the national leadership of the Democratic Party". | Mr Letta said in a statement that his decision followed "the decision taken today by the national leadership of the Democratic Party". |
He said he would formally submit his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano at the presidential palace on Friday. | He said he would formally submit his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano at the presidential palace on Friday. |
Relations between Mr Letta and Mr Renzi had become increasingly fraught, the BBC's Alan Johnston reports from Rome. | |
Mr Renzi has previously accused Mr Letta of a lack of action on improving the economy, with unemployment at its highest level in 40 years and the economy shrinking by 9% in seven years. | |
Correspondents say that although the prime minister has kept a careful lid on public expenditure, he has not been able to carry out much-needed administrative reforms and stimulate economic growth. | |
The latest political turmoil has so far had little impact on financial markets, in contrast with the volatility seen before the current coalition was formed. |