Italy’s Premier Will Offer to Quit
- Share via
ROME — Prime Minister Lamberto Dini said he will offer his resignation today, opening a political debate on whether to hold new elections during Italy’s term filling the European Union presidency.
Dini made the resignation pledge Friday after Cabinet ministers approved tax increases and spending cuts to make up a budget deficit.
The next move will be up to President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro. He can accept the resignation and call elections. But Scalfaro has indicated he may seek to avoid the turmoil of elections and ask Dini to stay as prime minister during Italy’s six-month term as EU leader, which begins Jan. 1.
Scalfaro has said it would be up to the Chamber of Deputies to decide the government’s fate. A Chamber decision is not expected before next week.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
