Italian Prime Minister resigns.

Giuseppe Conte, 55, announced his decision to resign in a speech to the Italian parliament on August 20, the first session after MPs returned from their summer break. He accused the Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister, and League party leader Matteo Salvini of trying to profit from his popularity.

"The Interior Minister has shown that he follows his personal interests and those of his party. His decisions will create great risks for the nation," Conte said while Salvini maintained a cold expression beside him.

In a surprising move on August 8, Salvini declared the ruling coalition between his League party and the Five Star Movement dead and called for early elections. However, this move is seen as a potentially major political mistake, opening the door to power for his rivals.

Conte described Salvini's actions as reckless, "potentially risking plunging the country into a spiral of political and financial instability." Politicians from the Five Star Party and the center-left Democratic Party are openly discussing a new coalition that would push the League party toward the opposition.

Following the Senate debate, Conte submitted his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella, who will preside over a coalition meeting on August 21st to try to form a new government. If this is not achieved, the President will have to dissolve parliament and hold an early election 3.5 years ahead of schedule.

Salvini dismissed comments from Conte, saying other parties were afraid to participate in the elections and lose influence. He stated that his political goal was to challenge the European Union's (EU) fiscal rules. Salvini blamed the EU for Italy's difficulties, arguing that Rome needed to spend at least 50 billion euros (55 billion USD) to stimulate its ailing economy.