Italy ruling parties press ahead with confidence vote - statement

General view of upper house of parliament ahead of a confidence vote for the government, in Rome, Italy, July 14, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

ROME (Reuters) - Negotiations to try to avoid a parliamentary confidence vote that could trigger the collapse of the Italian government failed on Thursday after Prime Minister Mario Draghi said the vote must be held, a statement said.

Minister for Parliamentary Relations Federico D'Inca had opened discussions with coalition partners on the possibility of dropping the confidence vote on a cost-of-living aid package, thereby defusing the brewing political crisis.