The decision by the 5 Star Movement plunges Italy into political uncertainty and could lead the country to early elections in the fall.
The 5 Star Movement will not take part in a confidence vote in Italy’s Senate today, Giuseppe Conte’s chief executive said, a move that could cause the collapse of the prime minister’s governing coalition Mario Draghi.
Other parties in the ruling coalition have warned they will quit the government if the 5-Star Movement boycotts the vote in the Senate, while Draghi himself said earlier this week that he would not lead a government from which the Conte’s party.
The decision of the 5 Star Movement plunges Italy into political uncertainty and may lead the country to early elections in the fall.
After a day of intense deliberations within his party, Conte announced late Wednesday that the 5-Star Movement would not support the confidence motion, pointing out that the government must do more to tackle growing social problems.
“I am very worried that in September many families will face the horrible dilemma of whether to pay the electricity bill or buy food,” Conte said, referring to the sharp rise in energy costs.
However, he left open the possibility of further talks with Draghi in order to overcome their differences.
“We are absolutely open to dialogue, to constructively contributing to the government, to Draghi, but we are not prepared to give a blank check,” the head of the 5 Star Movement underlined.
Italy’s prime minister said on Tuesday that if the 5-Star Movement stops supporting the government, President Sergio Mattarella will be the one to decide what happens next.
Elections
Two parties in the governing coalition, the League (right) and the center-left Democratic Party, assessed yesterday Wednesday that the holding of early elections is the most likely scenario if the government collapses.
“If a coalition party doesn’t support a government bill, then that was enough, it seems clear that we have to go to an election,” League chief Matteo Salvini said.
Elections were scheduled for the first half of 2023. Holding early elections in the fall is unusual in Italy, as this is traditionally when governments present their budgets for the coming year, which must be approved by the end of of time.
Mattarella asked Draghi to form a government of national unity in early 2020 for Italy to overcome the covid-19 pandemic and convinced almost all parties to join it.
The 5 Star Movement has seen its popularity decline over the past year as it tries to keep its identity clear. In an effort to boost his profile, he has been protesting for weeks about the government’s priorities and has called for generous aid to families struggling due to the rising cost of living, but also for continued funding of a social program that promotes the most vulnerable Italians. .
Today’s confidence vote includes a €26 billion cost-of-living package, but also an amendment that would allow the city of Rome to build a massive waste incinerator, a plan opposed by the 5 Star Movement
RES-EMP
View the news feed and get the latest news.
