Italian PM resigns, plunging Italy into political turmoil

ROME, July 21 Reuters- Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi quit on Thursday after his national unity government fell apart, setting the country on course for an early election and shaking financial markets. 

Draghi, an unelected former central banker who has led a broad coalition for almost 18 months, tendered his resignation in a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. 

Draghi's coalition crumbled on Wednesday when three of his main partners snubbed a confidence vote he had called to try to end divisions and renew their fractious alliance. 

He had tried to reassert his authority as parties began to pull in different directions before the planned end of the legislature in the first half of next year.

President Mattarella reportedly plans to meet the Speakers of both houses of parliament on Thursday while political sources said earlier this week that he would likely dissolve parliament and call early an election in October.