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Italian president sets Tuesday deadline to find new coalition

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Italian President Sergio Mattarella has set a Tuesday deadline for squabbling political parties to form a workable coalition government, two days after a dysfunctional populist alliance broke up throwing the eurozone's third largest economy into political turmoil.

Mattarella, 78, concluded two days of crisis talks with key political players on Thursday to see if a viable coalition could be formed following the disintegration of the partnership between the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the far-right League.

"On Tuesday, I will hold further consultations and make the necessary decisions," Mattarella told reporters at the presidential palace.

"The crisis must be resolved in a timely manner and with clear decisions," he said.

After an intense 48 hours of political wrangling, Mattarella said a future coalition would need a specific program that could be passed in parliament.

If a coalition is not formed then Mattarella could consider a technical government or call an early election -- just 14 months after the last parliamentary vote.

Anti-establishment Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio met with the Italian president
Anti-establishment Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio met with the Italian president
Vincenzo PINTO, AFP

The crisis comes after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned on Tuesday following months of alliance sniping and a bid by League leader and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to force a snap poll.

A proposed alliance between M5S and the opposition centre-left Democratic Party (PD) -- previously almost unthinkable after years of vicious arguments -- has been gaining momentum, with official talks set to begin.

After discussions with Mattarella, M5S leader Luigi Di Maio said he was ready to negotiate for a "solid majority" in parliament.

He listed ten key policies, including a plan to slash the number of lawmakers in parliament from 950 to 605.

His party later held talks and gave official clearance for formal discussions.

- 'Makeshift majority' -

The PD also made positive noises with leader Nicola Zingaretti saying he wanted to form a new government but emphasised not "at any cost".

Although the PD and M5S have been at each other's throats for years, the traditional foes have a motive for compromise -- power and kicking Salvini out of government.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has made it clear he wants talks to conclude quickly
Italian President Sergio Mattarella has made it clear he wants talks to conclude quickly
Miguel MEDINA, AFP/File

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.

Salvini -- under fire from other parties for instigating the crisis -- appeared to backtrack on his earlier attempt to force new elections.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tried to force a snap election
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tried to force a snap election
Filippo MONTEFORTE, AFP

After speaking to Mattarella, he offered to continue the coalition with M5S on condition it could pass legislation.

But at the same time he called for a snap election, saying "sovereignty belongs to the people".

Salvini has sought to exploit the League's growing popularity, with opinion polls suggesting the party would win a new vote.

Meanwhile, former premier Silvio Berlusconi, head of centre-right Forza Italia, warned against forming a government with "a makeshift majority".

It would make "a mockery of the voters and be a betrayal of their will," he said.

- Indebted economy -

The end of the unstable coalition government has so far been welcomed by the markets, with the stock market up and Italian bonds rallying for a third day.

Former premier Silvio Berlusconi warned against forming a government with
Former premier Silvio Berlusconi warned against forming a government with "a makeshift majority"
Vincenzo PINTO, AFP

If a new coalition emerges, it will need to draft a budget this autumn that adheres to EU rules and energises the economy, which is on the brink of recession.

Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti has said he is ready to make a deal with M5S
Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti has said he is ready to make a deal with M5S
Alberto PIZZOLI, AFP

Some investors fear a snap election could lead to a League-led government with Salvini as prime minister, which could trigger a collision with Brussels over spending commitments in the debt-laden nation.

After last year's election it took months of wrangling before a government was formed.

If a PD-M5S tie-up emerges, it would realistically need support from smaller parties to be an effective government.

The parties are also considering a female prime minister, according to media reports, which would be a first for Italy.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has set a Tuesday deadline for squabbling political parties to form a workable coalition government, two days after a dysfunctional populist alliance broke up throwing the eurozone’s third largest economy into political turmoil.

Mattarella, 78, concluded two days of crisis talks with key political players on Thursday to see if a viable coalition could be formed following the disintegration of the partnership between the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the far-right League.

“On Tuesday, I will hold further consultations and make the necessary decisions,” Mattarella told reporters at the presidential palace.

“The crisis must be resolved in a timely manner and with clear decisions,” he said.

After an intense 48 hours of political wrangling, Mattarella said a future coalition would need a specific program that could be passed in parliament.

If a coalition is not formed then Mattarella could consider a technical government or call an early election — just 14 months after the last parliamentary vote.

Anti-establishment Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio met with the Italian president

Anti-establishment Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio met with the Italian president
Vincenzo PINTO, AFP

The crisis comes after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned on Tuesday following months of alliance sniping and a bid by League leader and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to force a snap poll.

A proposed alliance between M5S and the opposition centre-left Democratic Party (PD) — previously almost unthinkable after years of vicious arguments — has been gaining momentum, with official talks set to begin.

After discussions with Mattarella, M5S leader Luigi Di Maio said he was ready to negotiate for a “solid majority” in parliament.

He listed ten key policies, including a plan to slash the number of lawmakers in parliament from 950 to 605.

His party later held talks and gave official clearance for formal discussions.

– ‘Makeshift majority’ –

The PD also made positive noises with leader Nicola Zingaretti saying he wanted to form a new government but emphasised not “at any cost”.

Although the PD and M5S have been at each other’s throats for years, the traditional foes have a motive for compromise — power and kicking Salvini out of government.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has made it clear he wants talks to conclude quickly

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has made it clear he wants talks to conclude quickly
Miguel MEDINA, AFP/File

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.

Salvini — under fire from other parties for instigating the crisis — appeared to backtrack on his earlier attempt to force new elections.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tried to force a snap election

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini tried to force a snap election
Filippo MONTEFORTE, AFP

After speaking to Mattarella, he offered to continue the coalition with M5S on condition it could pass legislation.

But at the same time he called for a snap election, saying “sovereignty belongs to the people”.

Salvini has sought to exploit the League’s growing popularity, with opinion polls suggesting the party would win a new vote.

Meanwhile, former premier Silvio Berlusconi, head of centre-right Forza Italia, warned against forming a government with “a makeshift majority”.

It would make “a mockery of the voters and be a betrayal of their will,” he said.

– Indebted economy –

The end of the unstable coalition government has so far been welcomed by the markets, with the stock market up and Italian bonds rallying for a third day.

Former premier Silvio Berlusconi warned against forming a government with

Former premier Silvio Berlusconi warned against forming a government with “a makeshift majority”
Vincenzo PINTO, AFP

If a new coalition emerges, it will need to draft a budget this autumn that adheres to EU rules and energises the economy, which is on the brink of recession.

Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti has said he is ready to make a deal with M5S

Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti has said he is ready to make a deal with M5S
Alberto PIZZOLI, AFP

Some investors fear a snap election could lead to a League-led government with Salvini as prime minister, which could trigger a collision with Brussels over spending commitments in the debt-laden nation.

After last year’s election it took months of wrangling before a government was formed.

If a PD-M5S tie-up emerges, it would realistically need support from smaller parties to be an effective government.

The parties are also considering a female prime minister, according to media reports, which would be a first for Italy.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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