The Wall Street Journal reports, "Prime Minister Enrico Letta said he will tender his resignation to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano Friday, following a call from Matteo Renzi, the head of Italy's largest party, for a new government to take power.
Mr. Letta's resignation brings an end to a government that is barely 10 months old and has teetered on the brink of collapse virtually from its birth. It will clear the way for Mr. Napolitano to ask Mr. Renzi to try to form a new government.
Mr. Renzi, the 39-year-old mayor of Florence and a rising star of Italian politics, pulled his support for the government earlier Thursday after months of criticizing the premier for failing to act aggressively enough to combat Italy's protracted economic downturn. In December, Mr. Renzi became head of the center-left Democratic Party, Italy's largest political group, and provided the main support for the Letta government. Mr. Letta also belongs to the party.
In a speech to party leaders earlier Thursday, Mr. Renzi said the country needs to move into "a new phase with a new government."
"We are in a position to turn a new page," he said. "The party thanks the premier for the important work he has done as the head of the government."
Mr. Letta issued a statement saying that "following the decision by the leadership of the Democratic Party, I have informed the President of my intention to tender my resignation as prime minister tomorrow." Mr. Napolitano's office had no immediate comment on Mr. Letta's statement.
Mr. Napolitano is expected to accept Mr. Letta's resignation, after which he would hold consultations with the major parties, possibly starting as soon as this weekend".
