Rome (AFP)
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced Tuesday his resignation and the end of the first populist government, accusing League leader Matteo Salvini, of being "irresponsible" by breaking the ruling coalition on 8 August.
In a solemn speech to the Senate, Mr. Conte fired his Interior Minister, saying that he has only "pursued his own interests and those of his party" by seeking to capitalize on polls that credited them with a large majority in parliament, in the wake of their record score in Europeans (34%).
"Making citizens vote is the essence of democracy, but asking them to vote every year is irresponsible," Conte said. "The country urgently needs measures to promote economic growth and investment."
"I am interrupting this experience of government here, I intend to conclude this institutional passage in a coherent way, I will go see the President of the Republic to present my resignation," said Mr. Conte, pointing out that before he would listen the debate planned to last 3H45.
In his speech against Mr. Salvini, Mr. Conte accused the Deputy Prime Minister of causing "serious risks to our country" and raised the danger of a negative economic spiral for the third economy of the area euro.
He also fired the leader of the League (far right) for his "lack of respect for the rules and institutions", also reproaching him for demanding elections as soon as possible to obtain "full powers".
"Dear Minister of the Interior, I heard you ask for + full powers + and call (your supporters) down the street to support you, this attitude concerns me," added Mr. Conte. "We do not need full powers but leaders with the sense of institutions," he said.
Having arrived at the head of the country after a fascist march on Rome, the dictator Benito Mussolini obtained in 1922 the "full powers" to direct as he pleased Italy during the following year.
© 2019 AFP