Italy may head back to election as soon as July 29: Sources

Giuseppe Ciccia | Pacific Press | LightRocket | Getty Images

Italy’s designated Prime Minister Carlo Cottarelli talks to journalists after having received from Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella the mandate to form a new government at the Quirinale Palace.

Italy’s Prime Minister-designate Carlo Cottarelli is considering giving up his mandate to form a government to open the way for an election as early as July 29, two party sources said on Tuesday.

Such a move would require President Sergio Mattarella to dissolve parliament in coming days. If there were to be a vote at the end of July, caretaker Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni will stay in power until the vote, party sources said.