ROME, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday submitted his resignation to the president of the Republic, putting an end to his about-14-month-old government.
The announcement came from President Sergio Mattarella's office, following a tense political day in which Conte addressed the senate, anticipating his intention to quit.
"President Sergio Mattarella has received Giuseppe Conte, who has submitted the resignation of the government he leads," the president office said in a statement.
"The President has taken note of the resignation, and invited the government to take care of current businesses,"it added.
Having accepted Conte's resignation, Mattarella will lead consultations among all political forces in parliament to see if another majority can be formed.
The first round of talks was expected to start on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. local time.
The resignation of the Italian prime minister was the direct result of a growing tension between the two cabinet coalition allies, anti-immigrant League party and anti-establishment Five-Star Movement (M5S).
The crisis was triggered earlier this month by the League's leader and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who submitted a no-confidence motion in parliament against the prime minister, claiming the cabinet's action was not longer effective due to the M5S' obstructionism. Enditem
