Deputy Premier and 5-Star Movement
(M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday that the quest of
Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna to obtain more autonomy will
be satisfied, while stressing it should be done in a balanced
way.
Autonomy is one of a series of issues that has created
divisions between the M5S and their coalition partners in the
League and Di Maio also said Wednesday that he was worried that
extreme positions were emerging.
A cabinet meeting failed to reach an agreement on the subject
late on Tuesday.
Critics have said that the drive for more autonomy and budget
control could be to the detriment of other regions, above all,
less wealthy ones in the south.
But Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's
League is in favour of granting the three regions' requests.
"The citizens of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna are
asking for autonomy and it's right that this should happen," Di
Maio said in Facebook post.
"It will be balanced autonomy, done properly, which will
truly work in in favour of the regions and local governments.
"The Movement is working for the whole country.
"I don't think anyone wants to go back to the time of (the
League's calls for) the secession of Padania and I have no
reason to doubt our ability to find the best solution... but
some of the more extreme positions concern me".
However, Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana warned that the
three regions would not make do with a watered-down solution.
"If the aim (of the M5S) is to lead us to a reform that's not
a reform, then I say right away that I will never sign up to it,
so there is no use trying to take us in that direction," said
Fontana, a League member.
"I don't think the other governors are willing to take a slap
in the face without batting an eyelid either".
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