ROME, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy’s president will hold a second day of
talks aimed at solving the political crisis shaking the country on Thursday
after the disintegration of the populist government.
President Sergio Mattarella will meet the main parties, including the anti-
establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and far-right League, after the
breakdown of their dysfunctional coalition.
Mattarella met the leaders of both houses of parliament on Wednesday and
has been trying to find a way forward.
Mattarella has made it clear he wants talks to conclude quickly.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned on Tuesday after months of alliance sniping and a bid by League leader and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to force a snap election, just 14 months since coming to power.
The formation of a new coalition, a short-term technocratic government or
an early election — more than three years ahead of schedule — are the main options.
A proposed alliance between M5S and opposition centre-left Democratic Party (PD) — previously almost unthinkable — appears to be gaining traction, with PD leader Nicola Zingaretti saying he is ready to make a deal.
The PD and M5S have been at each other’s throats for years — but an
alliance would see Salvini kicked out of government, a powerful motive for
compromise.
Zingaretti has said the party would back an M5S coalition dependent on five conditions, including a radical shift in Italy’s zero-tolerance policy on
migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
He later told “La 7” television he was also against the idea of Conte
staying on as prime minister.
M5S would like Conte to remain in place but did not give much away, saying
it would “wait for the end of consultations”.
A PD-M5S tie-up would realistically also need support from smaller parties
to be an effective government.
After last year’s election it took months of wrangling before a government
was formed. — NNN-AGENCIES
