Salvini, Di Maio spar over business rels

(ANSA) - Rome, December 10 - Deputy Premiers Luigi Di Maio and Matteo Salvini sparred on Monday over a meeting the latter had at the weekend with representatives of many of Italy's top business associations. Interior Minister and League leader Salvini invited the business figures to talks at his ministry on Sunday after many took part in a protest last week against the government's budget plan for 2019.
    Vincenzo Boccia, the head of industrial association Confindustria, was among the most critical.
    Labour and Industry Minister and 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Di Maio said business relations were primarily his brief.
    "It is always the duty of all ministers to meet businesses," Di Maio said.
    "As President Boccia said, now we are waiting for deeds and deeds get done at the industry ministry, because the industry ministry handles businesses". Salvini said he had done the right thing.
    "I'm interested in the substance of things," he said.
    "I meet people, I listen, I transfer, I propose, I improve.
    "I'm interested in seeing the whole government help the Italian people".