The Senate on Wednesday voted
against granting authorisation to prosecutors in Sicily to
proceed with a case of alleged kidnapping against Interior
Minister Matteo Salvini for refusing to allow over 100 migrants
to disembark from the Diciotti coast guard ship for several days
during a standoff with the EU last summer.
The result will not be official until voting stops at 19:00
but the electronic screen in the Upper House already shows that
the majority is against stripping Salvini, who is also Deputy
Premier and League leader, of his parliamentary immunity.
Earlier on Wednesday Salvini told the Senate that his
handling of the case protected the interests of the Italian
people.
"I'd have to lie to the Senate of the Italian people in order
to go to trial and say that I did not act for the public
interest," League leader Salvini said.
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