The two parties supporting
the government, the League and the 5-Star Movement (M5S), on
Thursday faced a showdown over the executive's fiscal decree
linked to the 2019 budget.
League leader, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo
Salvini said "the decree won't change, everyone should assume
their responsibilities" after the other deputy premier, M5S
leader and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said
Wednesday that it had been sent to President Sergio Mattarella
with a change to the part regarding the government's so-called
'fiscal peace' to help people terminate disputes, without the
consent of the M5S.
Di Maio said he was going to present a petition to criminal
prosecutors over "manipulation" of the legislation, expanding
the scope of the disputes that could benefit from the fiscal
peace - and reportedly in particular benefitting alleged money
launderers, according to the Italian media.
AS tensions subsequently mounted, the M5S leader said late
Thursday "a political clarification is needed, either in cabinet
or at a summit".
He said the spread had shot up to 327 points because "the
markets think we are not united".
Denying speculation there might be a crisis, Salvini said
"this government will go on for five years".
The president's office said that the decree had not been
delivered to it.
Premier Giuseppe Conte said that there was "no rift" between
the two ruling parties.
Conte's office then said the passage of the decree to the
president had been halted after the premier had been alerted to
the problem.
"I'll be in Rome on Friday," said Conte, who is attending the
European summit in Brussels.
"I'l check it article by article and it will go to the
president".
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