Italy appears to be on the verge of forming a new government after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned last week. However, the Prime Minister, who resigned following a political crisis that led to the collapse of the coalition government between Five Star Movement (M5S) and League Party, appears to now be the stumbling block in the formation of a new government.
Negotiations
Following Conte’s resignation, President Matarella met with political leaders in a bid to form a new government alliance.
The M5S and the Democratic Party (PD) in Italy have been in talks, to the dismay of the League Party. However, negotiations had reportedly stalled due to M5S’s insistence that Conte is brought back as Prime Minister, which PD wants to veto.
Reactions
Matteo Salvini, leader of the League Party and the man responsible for the collapse of the government, is not happy about the possibility of a new government without his League Party. Salvini had hoped for fresh elections to capitalise on his party’s surging popularity among voters to clinch more seats in parliament. An M5S-PD coalition prevents an election and ultimately ousts Salvini from the government.
The Telegraph noted Salvini’s comment on the ongoing negotiations: “A government made up of Five Star and the Democrats will not correspond to the sentiment of the people… If you make deals that are against nature, in the end, the people will kick you out. Sooner or later, the judgment of the people will be heard.”
Alessandra Locatelli, a League minister implied that the formation of an M5S-PD government may lead to protests. Hesaid, “Let’s hope that if a Democratic Party-Five Star government is formed, the people will rise up as soon as possible.”
As It Stands
Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that M5S and PD have suspended negotiations.
M5S released a statement to this effect, saying: “Yesterday, after four hours of talks, nothing was achieved…. We cannot any longer work like this. Either the attitude changes or it’s difficult. We will see the PD again when the party has given its OK to the reappointment of Conte.”
There are reports that the two parties will resume talks, however, they must reach an agreement by Wednesday the 28th of August if a snap election is to be avoided.
President Matarrella is set to meet with major parties in Italy on Wednesday to see who has a chance to form a government.
