The president of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, after having heard the Presidents of the two branches of Parliament, as required by article 88 of the Constitution, he signed the decree dissolving the Senate of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies, which was countersigned by the President of the Council of Ministers. this was communicated by the Quirinale in the late afternoon after a day of waiting, during which - after the press conference at the end of the year by Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni - it was in any case it became clear the XVII legislature was now over.
Immediately after the decision of the Quirinale, the Council of Ministers approved the decree that indexes the election date on March 4th, following the dissolution of the Chambers. Decree which will be countersigned by Sergio Mattarella.
The Chambers are convened for 23 March for the first session after the elections. The session will serve to elect the respective presidents.
This opens the electoral phase during which the Gentiloni government will remain in office. It was the premier himself, during the press conference at the end of the year, who said that the government "doesn't pull the oars in the boat" and will continue to do its job. Furthermore, it is not said that the Gentiloni government will end up lasting longer than expected. It will obviously depend on the outcome of the elections but if it is uncertain, i.e. if there is not a clear majority at the polls as many fear also due to the electoral law, the Quirinale could send the executive back to the Chambers for a vote of confidence which in the meantime allows the country to be managed while waiting for the political framework to be clarified or for new elections to take place. We will see it in the coming months.
