Deputy Premier and 5-Star Movement
(M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio on Friday ruled out a government
crisis with partner the League and called for talks with League
leader and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini in order to "go
forward" after mounting tension between the allies this week.
"I rule out there being a crisis, I've always been taught not
to do ill and not to fear: we have important reforms to
achieve," Di Maio said on RAI TV.
"The only thing I say is that it is better to see each other,
and talk directly instead of at a distance, it's right to meet,
so that we can clear things up and go forward, today, because
today is the cabinet meeting and the talks on autonomy".
Tensions came to a head Thursday as Salvini said he had lost
personal trust in Di Maio amid rows over the new European
Commission chief, whom the M5S voted for against the League, and
over alleged Russian funding for Salvini's party.
Salvini accused the M5S of flirting with the centre-left
opposition Democratic Party (PD), a charge Di Maio angrily
denied.
Di Maio also stressed Friday that he did not suspect Salvini
of getting Russian funds.
"If I suspected Salvini I would not be in the government,"
said Di Maio, who is also industry and labour minister.
Di Maio said Salvini, who is also interior minister, had
promised he would brief parliament on the Russian funding
allegations before Premier Giuseppe Conte speaks to parliament
on the case on July 24.
He also announced a parliamentary commission of inquiry on
funding to all parties "including our own".
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