Centrist Italia Viva (IV) leader
Matteo Renzi on Wednesday night launched the idea of reforming
the Italian premier's job by setting up a so-called 'mayor of
Italy' but his government partner the centre-left Democratic
Party (PD) immediately scotched the notion.
Renzi, a former premier and PD leader, also floated the
proposal of an "institutional government" without current
Premier Giuseppe Conte at the helm.
Again, the PD rejected the proposal.
PD Senate Whip Andrea Marcucci said "there are not the
conditions" for the moves.
He stressed that there was a deal with IV for a new electoral
law and other "adjustments".
Conte was tight-lipped on the proposal for a mayor of Italy
and said he would say exactly what he thinks about Renzi's
proposals in the next few days.
He stressed that the accent of the government should be on
growth.
Opposition nationalist League leader Matteo Salvini was also
cool to Renzi's proposals saying that at most he would support a
short-term with the purpose of taking Italy to early elections
in the autumn.
Tension has remained high Wednesday between Conte and Renzi
amid a major clash over a judicial reform that has raised doubts
about whether the government can stay afloat.
After a long day of meetings on the cabinet's agenda, Conte
reportedly said that Renzi needs to speak out and say whether he
wants to leave the government coalition, while highlighting the
work carried out by the cabinet "with everybody" and the need to
conquer "citizens' support", a well-informed source said late
Tuesday.
Conte said in a conversation with ANSA outside the Senate
Wednesday that "at the moment we are focused on a priority,
which is to help Italy grow".
He was answering a question on the possibility of
establishing a pact for reforms to last the legislative term
until 2023.
"What we need now is a shot in the arm to spur growth", he
said.
He urged all parties in his coalition to set aside their
differences and work on this.
"Let's work as if there was an emergency, that way we will
coordinate to the best".
He said the government was concentrated on its work and said
he was not worried about a possible parliamentary challenge from
the restive IV party.
Renzi, however, again dared Conte to kick him out of the
ruling coalition.
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 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) Salvini and the right return to
power".
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