Nationalist opposition League
leader Matteo Salvini on Wednesday told ANSA the centre-right
opposition had no intention of exiting the euro as Premier
Giuseppe Cionte claimed earlier in the day, and the premier was
the one "putting Italians at risk" by allegedly signing of on a
reform of the European Stability Mechanism bailout fund which
Salvini says jeopardises Italians' savings.
"No one intends to leave the euro," Salvini said.
"But Signor Conte is not entitled to sign or give the word of
the Italians on international accord which are dangerous for
Italy.
"So if there is someone who is putting at risk the savings
and future of the Italians, it is him".
Salvini confirmed that the centre right is set to present a
single resolution against the ESM reform.
Conte earlier on Wednesday challenged opposition politicians
like Salvini who have blasted the government over the reform of
the European Stability Mechanism to say whether what they really
want is for Italy to quit the eurozone.
"It is necessary to be careful about alluding to doubts and
creating fears in the Italian people," Conte said as he reported
to the Lower House on the ESM.
"Some of the positions outlined during the public debate have
revealed the thinly concealed wish to take our country out of
the eurozone or even outside the European Union.
"If this is the aim, then it would be best to clarify this in
an explicit way so that the public debate is transparent and the
Italian citizens can be informed about all the implications of
that those positions entail".
The issue of the eurozone's bailout fund has roiled Italian
politics for weeks, with the centre-left opposition alleging the
government has agreed to a reform that cannot be amended and
risks putting Italy under fresh pressure on the financial
markets.
But there have also been differences within the government,
with the the 5-Star Movement (M5S) leading the drive for the ESM
overhaul to be changed.
Conte told the Lower House on Wednesday that Italy has
nothing to worry about.
"Italy has nothing to fear because its debt is fully
sustainable, as the assessments of the main international
institutions, including the (European) Commission, show and as
confirmed by the markets," Conte said.
The parties supporting Premier Giuseppe Conte's government
reached an agreement on the reform of the ESM during a meeting
overnight, M5S sources said on Wednesday.
"The line that the reform must be part of a package of
changes has been upheld," the M5S sources said.
"There will be another passage in parliament in January
before the next Eurogroup meeting.
"Parliament will be involved before the next steps are taken.
"Every decision will be taken after listening to parliament,
no blank cheques will be signed".
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