‘Unforgivable’ government crisis looms over Italy during pandemic
Rome, Italy - Italy’s Health Minister warned on Wednesday against ‘ unforgivable’ distractions as the country teeters on the brink of a government crisis in the middle of a deadly coronavirus pandemic.
With the ruling coalition looking close to collapse over a row with a junior partner, Roberto Speranza urged colleagues to keep focused on the health crisis has so far left killed almost 80,000 people in Italy.
“Let’s keep political infighting, real or presumed electoral tensions, far and separate from the health of Italians,” he told the lower parliamentary chamber in an update on COVID-19 regulations.
“It would really be an unforgivable mistake to get distracted or to slow down near the finish line.”
Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte’s government is on the verge of imploding following weeks of internal criticism from former premier Matteo Renzi, the leader of the small Italia Viva party.
Renzi has called a press conference at 5.30pm in which he was widely expected to announce the resignation of his two ministers and his party’s withdrawal from the coalition.
Conte has signalled he would react by seeking a vote of confidence in parliament, hoping to secure enough support from opposition lawmakers to fill the gap left by Renzi’s exit.
Without Italia Viva’s 18 senators, Conte would need new friends in the Senate, although his majority is large enough in the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies.
Another alternative could be a new Conte government. The premier could resign and seek a quick reappointment from President Sergio Mattarella, with a revamped list of ministers.