ROME -- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced his resignation at the end of a speech to Parliament Tuesday explaining why his coalition Government couldn't continue. He was handing in his resignation to President Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace following the parliamentary debate, he said.

 In his speech, Mr Conte cited League leader and deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini's decision no longer to support the Government in coalition with the radical Five Star Movement party headed by Luigi Di Maio, as the reason for his resignation. 

 Describing Mr Salvini as "irresponsible" and "opportunist," and "showing a great lack of constitutional culture," Conte slammed the League leader's use of religion during political campaigns.

 "Your use of religious symbols is unethical," Mr Conte said. He also criticised Mr Salvini's populist political style.

 "We don't need people and men with full powers but those that have institutional culture and sense of responsiblity," Mr Conte said. "The crises of government in our system are not faced and worked out in the streets but in Parliament."

 Explaining his reasons for resigning, Mr Conte said, "The ongoing crisis compromises the action of this government, which stops here." 

 Conte’s resignation could lead to snap elections, if the parties are unable to agree on a new government.  Although the possibility of a coalition between the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party has been repeatedly raised by local sources, whether the parties will be able to cooperate remains to be seen.  

 Several Five Star Movement MPs are apparently willing to work with the Democratic Party, but there is disagreement within the leadership of the party.  Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has returned to high-profile politics following Salvini’s call for snap elections, arguing that Salvini cannot be allowed to become prime minister.  Yet he is arguing for a caretaker government, whereas the Democratic Party’s secretary Nicola Zingaretti appears to want elections immediately.   

 Meanwhile, Di Maio has refused to commit to such an alliance, saying that he will wait for Mattarella’s response to Conte’s expected resignation.

 It is possible that the alliance between the League and the Five Star might be continued despite Salvini’s call for its end, but this is unlikely according to the Corriere della Sera.  Nor is it certain that Conte’s resignation will mean his exit from politics, as Mattarella could ask him to oversee another government.

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