Italy’s president is to meet former Central European Bank head Mario Draghi later today where he is expected to ask him to form a government.
This comes after party leaders failed to agree on a new coalition following the resignation of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte last week.
President Sergio Mattarella says Italy needs a “high profile government”.
Italy is still grappling with coronavirus and is also facing the worst economic crisis in decades.
The president’s spokesman confirmed that the meeting with Mr Draghi would take place today.
Mr Mattarella hopes the new government would have parliamentary backing. He warns that the only alternative would be to hold early elections but that would leave the country in a state of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Italy’s 5-star movement says it will not back a government led by Mr Draghi.
