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More than 1,000 mayors signed a petition yesterday demanding that Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who wished to resign last week, remain in his post, France Press reported.

"The government must stay," said the petition, signed by the mayors of Florence, Rome and Venice.

The President of Italy did not accept the resignation of Mario Draghi

Draghi handed his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday, but he did not accept it.

Draghi wanted to step down because of the non-participation of the Five Star Movement, a member of the ruling coalition, in a confidence vote requested by the government.

In their petition, the mayors condemned Five Star's behavior as irresponsible and said they were following political developments in Italy with concern.

"We need stability, security and coherence so that we can continue to change our cities," the mayors said, BTA reported.

Mario Draghi

prime minister's post