Politics

Italian PM in talks with president after key party breaks ranks

Rome, Jul 14 (EFE).- Mario Draghi’s national unity government was hit by a fresh crisis Thursday when the powerful Five Star Movement party did not support a key piece of legislation in the senate.

Prime minister Draghi has since met with the Italian president Sergio Mattarella, Italian political sources told Efe.

Draghi’s bill, a package to combat inflation costs in Italy, was presented as a vote of confidence in the government, a technique to expedite legislation.

The M5S abstained, breaking ranks with Draghi after weeks of strained relations over the supply of weapons to Ukraine, among other topics.

Although the bill was passed, Draghi has previously stated that the unity government could not function without the M5S, the largest party in parliament.

The party itself recently went through an internal schism on the matter.

M5S has said that the 26 billion euros in aid earmarked in the package was “insufficient” but many commentators share the opinion that the break from Draghi is a tactical move ahead of elections in March 2023.

The tremors in the national unity government could lead to a reshuffle or even snap elections.

The parties still loyal to the unity government, which include the center-left Democratic Party, the hard-right League, the liberal Italia Viva and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, have urged Draghi to “verify” whether he still had a majority in parliament. EFE

gsm/jt

Related Articles

Back to top button