Italian PM resigns as possibility of snap election looms

Italian PM Giuseppe Conte has resigned today after last week's loss of a majority in a vote of confidence in the Senate.

This comes as the country's political parties are divided over the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 85,800 Italians have died from COVID-19 so far.

This political crisis comes after the coalition government was pulled apart two weeks ago by the departure of Italia Viva.

The party was withdrawn by founder and ex-PM Matteo Renzi over opposition to Mr Conte's spending plan of 209 billion euros from European Union recovery funds.

While the spending would be used to tackle Italy's coronavirus pressures and the recession, Mr Renzi has said that the funds should be invested in industries such as green technology and health services.