ROME: Italy'sprime minister resigned after launching a blistering attack on his own interiorminister, Matteo Salvini, accusing him of sinking the ruling coalition andendangering the economy for personal and political gain. Prime MinisterGiuseppe Conte, addressing parliament after it was recalled from its summerrecess to decide the future of the 14-month-old government, accused thefar-right League party chief Salvini of seeking to cash in on his risingpopularity.
In a shock moveon Aug 8, Salvini declared that his alliance with the anti-establishment 5-StarMovement was dead and called for elections, but the gambit could yet prove abig political blunder and open the door to power for his rivals. Politiciansfrom 5-Star and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) are openly discussingforming a new coalition which would push the League into opposition and giveItaly a more centrist, pro-European government. "The interior minister hasshown that he is following his own interests and those of his party,"Conte told a packed Senate, a stony-faced Salvini sitting by his side."His decisions pose serious risks for this country."
He describedSalvini's actions as reckless and "liable to tip the country into a spiralof political uncertainty and financial instability". After the Senatedebate Conte, who belongs to neither of the coalition parties, handed hisresignation to President Sergio Mattarella, who said he would begin talks withparliamentary groups to see if a new coalition can be formed. Failing that,Mattarella would have to dissolve parliament, 3-1/2 years ahead of schedule, toallow for autumn elections.
The consultationswith party delegations will begin with minor groups at 1400 GMT. Mattarellawill hear all the main parties on Thursday, concluding with 5-Star at 1500 GMT.The PD's leadership is also scheduled to meet to discuss the prospect ofhooking up with 5-Star. The two parties have been bitter political foes foryears. Financial markets rallied on Conte's resignation, seemingly hopeful thatsnap polls could be avoided.
ChallengingEurope
Salvini at timesshook his head, rolled his eyes or nodded to League senators as the primeminister accused him of being "irresponsible", "reckless","alarming" and "disrespectful". Conte said he was worriedby Salvini's threat to call people into the country's squares if his drive forelections were thwarted, as well as his demand for "full powers"."We do not need men who have 'full powers', but people who haveinstitutional culture and a sense of responsibility," he said in anhour-long speech in which he also denounced Salvini's habit of brandishing thecross at his political rallies.
Touching on aparticularly sensitive subject, he also said Salvini should provideexplanations over allegations that the League attempted to obtain illegalfunding from Russia through a covert oil transaction. Salvini rejected Conte'scomments, saying other parties were afraid of going to elections and losingtheir influence. He said his political goal was to challenge the EuropeanUnion's fiscal rules, which he has blamed for impoverishing the country. Romeshould spend at least 50 billion euros ($55 billion) to stimulate thechronically weak economy, he added.
"I am notafraid," he said. "I don't want Italy to be a slave to anyone, and Idon't want Italy to be given a long chain like a little dog. I don't want anychain at all." Italy has not held an election in the autumn since WorldWar Two because the final months of the year are traditionally dedicated todrawing up the budget-a key moment for a country with one of the world'slargest debt mountains. At the end of the parliamentary debate the Leaguewithdrew the no-confidence vote in the government that it had tabled earlierthis month, but Conte said the move had come too late.
"I see thatthe League's leader Matteo Salvini lacks the courage to take responsibility forhis actions. If there's a lack of courage, don't worry, I'll takeresponsibility before the country that is watching us," said Conte.Mattarella is likely to push for a swift decision by the 5-Star and PD onwhether they can work together. Failing that, he will probably dissolveparliament and call a vote in late October or early November. "They won'tbe able to run away from elections for ever," Salvini told reporters asConte met the president. - Reuters