(ANSA) - Rome, September 20 - League leader Matteo Salvini
said Friday that the Italian president should be elected
directly by the people.
The president, who acts as the guardian of the Constitution
and as the political system's referee, is current elected by
parliament.
"The PD (Democratic Party) have already taken the last three
presidents for themselves," Salvini said.
"I think that, if not in 2022, then in 2029 the head of State
could be elected directly by the citizens".
Former interior minister Salvini last month pulled the plug
on the first government headed by Premier Giuseppe Conte.
But his bid to trigger early elections failed as his former
government allies in the 5-Star Movement (M5S) agreed a pact
with the PD to form a second Conte government.
Salvini, whose party is current well ahead in the polls, said
that he was confident that he would have the necessary votes in
parliament in the future to carry out this Constitutional
reform.
He added that he does not think the current M5S-PD government
will last until 2022, when President Sergio Mattarella's
successor will be elected.
Salvini also said that when he next returns to government he
will sell off a chunk of State broadcaster RAI.