Italy's Draghi accepts challenge to form government as parties hesitate

Italian President Sergio Mattarella speaks at the Quirinale palace, in Rome, Italy, February 2, 2021. Paolo Giandotti/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS

ROME (Reuters) - President Sergio Mattarella asked former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi on Wednesday to form a government tasked with tackling the coronavirus crisis and deep economic recession that are battering Italy.

Draghi, widely credited with saving the euro zone from collapse in 2012, accepted the mandate, saying he was confident he could find backing in Italy's fractured parliament for a new administration.