Draghi’s Predecessor May Quit Italian Coalition Over Ukraine

  • Government not at risk even if Five Star leave coalition
  • Foreign minister Di Maio to quit Five Star, remain in cabinet

Giuseppe Conte, left, and Mario Draghi, during a handover ceremony in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 13, 2021. 

Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg
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Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is considering quitting Mario Draghi’s coalition, according to people familiar with the matter, as government support for Ukraine roils the largest party in Parliament.

While the split would most likely leave Draghi with a majority in both chambers of the Italian legislature, it would make it more difficult for him to push through his plans for fixing up the economy and to turn down requests from other coalition partners. Conte’s Five Star Movement would continue supporting the government’s decisions on an ad hoc basis, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential deliberations.