The two parties supporting
the government, the League and the 5-Star Movement (M5S), on
Friday averted a crisis over the executive's fiscal decree
linked to the 2019 budget.
League leader, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo
Salvini said he would after all consider going to a cabinet
meeting Saturday to ease tensions and clear up a case of
last-minute "manipulation" alleged by the other deputy premier,
M5S leader and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio.
Salvini dismissed all talk of a crisis but insisted that "Di
Maio knew everything about the amnesty. We don't lay traps, the
decree is what it is".
On Thursday night Salvini had said "the decree won't change,
everyone should assume their responsibilities", and had said he
would not attend a cabinet meeting Saturday.
Di Maio said Wednesday that the decree 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.
Another source of contention was a measure on car insurance,
which the League said had not been discussed but the M5S said
contained "measures that were read and discussed".
As tensions subsequently mounted, the M5S leader said late
Thursday "a political clarification is needed, either in a
cabinet meeting or at a summit".
He said the spread had shot up to 327 points because "the
markets think we are not united".
Salvini said there would not be another cabinet meeting on
the measure.
Asked if he would attend a cabinet meeting on Saturday,
Salvini said "I have other commitments".
Denying speculation there might be a crisis, Salvini said
"this government will go on for five years".
Premier Giuseppe Conte said "its up to me to call a cabinet
meeting".
"I'm the premier and I call cabinet meetings and I don't know
if Salvini will come, he's on an election campaign".
The president's office had said earlier that the decree had
not been delivered to it.
Premier 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 was attending
the European summit in Brussels.
"I'l check it article by article and it will go to the
president".
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