Italy to hold September election after PM Mario Draghi resigns

PM Draghi resigns after key partners shun confidence vote; President asks him to stay on as caretaker; markets fall heavily over political crisis

Italy will hold a snap national election on Sept. 25 after Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigned following the collapse of his national unity government, sending tremors through financial markets.
 

It will be the first autumn national election for more than a century in Italy, where the second half of the year is normally taken up with getting the budget law through parliament.
 

It is likely to be a fractious campaign fought in the fierce summer heat in a drought-hit country.
 

A bloc of conservative parties, led by the far-right Brothers of Italy, looks likely to win a clear majority at