Addressing the senate earlier in the afternoon, Conte harshly criticized this decision, and accused Salvini of making irresponsible choices for personal and political reasons.

"This has been an objectively grave decision, which entails serious consequences for the country's political and economic life," Conte told senators.

"Calling citizens to vote is the essence of democracy, but asking them to vote every year is irresponsible," Conte also stressed.

Speaking amid his cabinet ministers, with Salvini sitting hard-faced on his right, Conte accused the League leader to have been looking for a pretext to go back to polls since after scoring a wide victory in European parliament elections in May.

In that vote, the League doubled its support from around 17 percent in 2018 national elections to over 34 percent, while his coalition partner, the M5S, almost halve its consensus.

Salvini replied immediately after the prime minister, saying he did not regret anything he did lately.

He explained his decision to pull the plug on the government was due to his coalition partner -- the M5S -- saying too many "no", for example by opposing the prosecution of the high-speed rail project (TAV) between Turin and Lyon.

Political options

While addressing the senate, Salvini stressed his party was not afraid of fresh elections.

Yet, surprisingly, he added that the League would still be available to approve a proposed cut of members of parliament -- a key proposal of the M5S -- before going to the polls again.

The proposal was not accepted by the anti-establishment movement, which is led by Economic Development Minister Luigi Di Maio.

Domestic analysts and media reports suggested that a possible dialogue could now open up between the M5S and center-left Democratic Party.

Another possible option for a new majority would be for the League to ally with former premier Silvio Berlusconi's center-right Forza Italia and far-right Brothers of Italy party.

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