Beppe Grillo, the leader of the
anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S), clashed with Northern
League chief Matteo Salvini on Wednesday over his drive for a
referendum on whether Italy should keep the euro.
The separatist, Euroskeptic, anti-migrant League thinks
Italy should drop the euro and Salvini proposed a meeting with
Grillo to discuss cooperation on this issue.
But comedian-turned-politician Grillo abruptly knocked
back the idea on Wednesday.
"Dear Salvini, there's no need for any official meetings,"
Grillo posted on his popular blog, which spawned the
Internet-based M5S in 2009.
"The League can support the ideas that it believes are
right, if it wants, without asking anything in return.
"If the League proposes things in line with the M5S
programme, it will receive our support, as has always been the
case with any political party".
Grillo also called the League "Euro-wets," saying the
party "throws the euro-exit stone and then hides its hand".
Salvini quickly snapped back.
"Grillo rejected the League's proposal for talks... worse
luck for him," he said via his Facebook page.
"We are ready to do our battles against the euro, the
invasion of illegal immigrants and the tax-grabbing State on our
own".
Salvini was backed by his predecessor as League leader,
Lombardy Governor Roberto Maroni.
"Grillo is scared of debate with the League," Maroni said.
"We started the battle against the euro. Grillo is copying
us and he fears that it will be clear who has got what it takes
when we are seen close together".
Grillo said he hoped the euro referendum would take place
in December 2015 following a law change needed to make it
possible.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
