Status: 06.07.2022 4:34 p.m
After the Five Star Movement criticized Italian government policy, the alliance threatened to collapse. The party has now committed itself to further cooperation, but has made demands that Prime Minister Draghi has to think about.
In Italy, the Five Star Movement has acknowledged government responsibility after internal quarrels. But she demands political changes from Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
The party had recently criticized the government’s policy – for example with a view to the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and because of the distribution and amount of aid money in Italy. Today was therefore a meeting between star party leader Giuseppe Conte and Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Draghi needs time to think
After a meeting with the head of government, Conte said his movement would continue to participate “loyally and constructively”. “But we want bigger changes.” These are contained in a list of demands that Conte handed over to the head of government. The wage tax is to be reduced immediately and the future of the so-called citizenship money is to be secured. This basic security is considered a socio-political flagship project of the Five Star Movement. According to Conte, Draghi has asked for time to think things over.
The Five Star Movement is one of the strongest forces in the multi-party coalition. The movement, led by Conte, had repeatedly expressed doubts about the alliance. Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio recently resigned from the Five Star Party. Since then, the party, which has three ministers in Draghi’s cabinet, has been in a serious crisis and has lost dozens of MPs. ´
According to plan, Italy will elect a new government in early 2023. Former ECB head Draghi has led the coalition as an independent politician since February 2021. Should the alliance fall apart, the country could face early elections.