Ex-premier and Italia Viva (IV)
Matteo Renzi on Wednesday again dared Premier Giuseppe Conte to
kick him out of the ruling coalition, amid a huge row within the
government over changes to the statute of limitations.
Renzi told RAI's Porta a Porta show that the premier had
already tried to find support from "responsible" lawmakers in
the Senate so it no longer needed IV, but the attempt had
failed.
"If the premier or one of his collaborators want to replace
us, there's nothing wrong with it," Renzi said.
"But next time it would be better if they actually manage to
do it".
Unlike the other parties supporting the government, IV is
opposed the "lodo Conte bis", a compromise on the statute of
limitations proposed Conte after it staunchly opposed Justice
Minister Alfonso Bonafede's reform that puts the statute of
limitations on ice after a first-instance court ruling.
Renzi confirmed that IV intends to present a motion of no
confidence in Bonafede, a member of the 5-Star Movement (M5S),
if an agreement within the government on the statute of
limitations is not found.
He said he was confident that presenting such a motion would
not cause the government to collapse.
The centre-left Democratic Party (PD), meanwhile, warned IV
that a series of rebellions in parliamentary votes over the
statute of limitations must stop.
"This daily guerrilla warfare by Renzi has become intolerable
because it undermines the foundations of the government," said
PD lawmaker Michele Bordo.
"It's really difficult to keep going in this way. "IV must
clarify its position at once because you cannot be in the
opposition and in government.
"We won't stand it much longer.
"Renzi should assume his responsibilities with respect to the
nation if he has decided to help (League leader Matteo) Salvini
and the right return to power".
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