Italian PM Mario Draghi Quits As Coalition Government Crumbles

Draghi, 74, was dubbed Super Mario for his handling of the eurozone crisis as head of the European Central Bank.

Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi delivers his speech to the Chamber of Deputies (Source: File photo/Getty)

New Delhi: Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi officially resigned on Thursday after he failed to revive his coalition government, putting an end to his national unity government after 17 months in office.

Draghi told President Sergio Mattarella that he failed to reunite his coalition government as three parties in his government refused to back him in a confidence vote on Wednesday, BBC reported.

Mattarella had asked him to remain as caretaker leader until early elections, expected this autumn.

Draghi, 74, was dubbed Super Mario for his handling of the eurozone crisis as head of the European Central Bank.

However, a week ago, one of the parties in his government refused to back his economic package prompting a political crisis.