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 Renzi's group 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.
Renzi also said he was launching a drive for Italy's
election system to be changed so that the premier is directed
elected by the people.
At the moment the premier is nominated by the president of
the republic after each general election, on the basis of the
outcome, and that person must have the confidence of parliament
to take office.
"I am making an appeal to all the political parties," Renzi
said.
"Let's take the system to elect Italy's mayors up to the
national level.
"You vote for a person who is there for five years and is
responsible (for the government).
"I think the solution (to political instability) is the
direct election of the premier.
"I'll launch a petition for the system for Italy's mayors (to
be used)".
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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