Premier Giorgia Meloni has denied
there being tension between her and President Sergio Mattarella,
saying the opposition is trying to stir up tension between the
two institutional figures.
She was speaking after appearing last week to take different
line to the head of State on the policing of a pro-Palestinian
protest in Pisa nine days ago in which a number of young people,
including minors, were hurt after being hit by batons.
Mattarella issued a rebuke, saying "truncheons fail young
people", while Meloni said it would be "dangerous" to withdraw
institutional support for the police.
"My relations with Mattarella are excellent," Meloni said on
Saturday after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau.
She said the Left was trying to open a "rift" between her and
the president as part of its campaign against her plan to change
the Constitution so that the Italian premier is directly elected
by the people.
She stressed that the plan would not affect the powers of the
head of State.
A reception Meloni was due to have on Saturday night with
Trudeau at the Art Gallery of Ontario was cancelled due to
security concerns after pro-Palestiian protesters gathered
outside the venue.
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