Calabria Governor Roberto Occhiuto announced Thursday that he was quitting after being put under investigation in a probe into alleged corruption in projects in the southern region.

But he added that he will seek a renewed mandate by standing for re-election.

“I’ve decided to resign, but I’ve also decided to run again, to say to the Calabrians – you are the ones who will write the future of Calabria, who will decide whether Calabria should stop or whether this work should continue,” Occhiuto said in a video posted on social media, stressing he had nothing to fear from the probe.

“In a few weeks, therefore, we’ll go to the polls, and it will be the Calabrians who decide, not anyone else.

“I have to consider what’s happening in my administration.

“In a civilized country, no one should have to resign because of a notice of investigation.

“But what’s happening is that no one is taking the responsibility to sign off anything”.