The Italians responded with a mixture of anger, confusion and calls for the entire government to be sent to the package after the country was once again plunged into political chaos.
The administration led by Giuseppe Conte is on the verge of collapse after former prime minister Matteo Renzi withdrew his small party Italia Viva from the ruling coalition. Renzi said his party was not to blame for the crisis, but that it had been going on for months. He said his ministers had shown courage in leaving office and blamed their departure for the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its weak strategy to rebuild the shabby economy.
But many Italians do not see things the same way. In an Ipsos poll on Wednesday, 73% said it was not the time for a political crisis and believed that Renzi was only pursuing his own interests.
“We are in the middle of a pandemic. Now is not the time to add problems, “said Carlo Gerardi, the manager of a hospitality company. “This will block everything – so many companies are struggling without financial support and people are losing their salaries.”
Renzi’s movement leaves Conte’s coalition, made up of the Five Star Movement (M5S) and the Democratic Party (PD), without a parliamentary majority. On Thursday afternoon, the prime minister did not indicate the next step. He could either resign the president, Sergio Mattarella, who could give him a mandate to try to conclude a new alliance, or go to parliament for a vote of confidence. But if he opts for the latter, it is not clear whether he will get enough support to fill the gap left by the 18 senators of Italia Viva. Other possible outcomes include Mattarella developing a broad government of national unity or, failing that, calling elections.
Gerardi believes the government should continue with Conte. “Then, once the pandemic is over and we see signs of economic recovery, they can do whatever they want.”
Tiziana Nicolisi, the owner of a bar in Rome, said: “Renzi made a mistake and many people believe that, especially with hundreds of deaths a day from coronavirus.”
But some support the maneuver. Renzi’s main complaint was about Conte’s € 223 billion (£ 198 billion) spending plans on which Italy is likely to receive loans and subsidies from the EU to restart the economy, arguing that the money risks be wasted in money, than be invested wisely. His suggestions were accepted, and the recovery plan was changed and approved by the cabinet late Tuesday night.
Even though Renzi said the new plan was a “step forward”, it was not enough to change his mind. He also reiterated his dissatisfaction that Italy had not reached the EU rescue fund – the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) – to support the health service. The M5S, the largest ruling party, has always resisted for fear of leaving Italy subject to strict EU austerity rules.
“Initially, there were no investments in the economy, only the money was given,” said Arianna Bocchino, a supporter of Italia Viva. “Renzi had to push and push to improve. This coalition is unable to manage the money well and they do not want to listen ”.
Since the founding of the Italian Republic in 1946, Italy has had 67 governments.
Renzi, who led Italy between 2014 and 2016, effectively orchestrated Conte-led coalition between PD and M5S after the collapse of the M5S coalition government and Matteo Salvini’s far-right league in August 2019. He then left PD to settle. Italia Viva, a centrist force that, he said, will “do politics differently.”
Italia Viva, M5S and PD would probably be trampled on if a national vote were to take place soon. The opposition, which consists of the League, its far-right colleague, the Brothers of Italy, and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, could get more than 50% of the vote.
Alessandro Urlandi, the owner of a store in Rome, needs a new government. “I am just tired of this. This lot has no idea. ”