By Silvia Marchetti
ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s upcoming local elections are bound to fuel tensions between government parties with the risk of delaying key reforms needed to kickstart the recovery, ruling coalition officials warned.
“The League, the Democrats and the 5 Stars are bickering on a daily basis in an attempt to boost their popularity for the regional and city elections taking place between now and the end of October, and this constant electoral campaign risks delaying reform plans”, said a top source.
Voters in four of Italy’s biggest cities, including Rome and Milan, will be called to the ballot boxes to choose their next mayors, with each ruling party fending for itself on the ground by attempting to amplify the differences between local programs despite the fact they share cabinet power.
Another official argued that two months of electoral quarrels would be wearing, further opening cracks within the government and raising political instability at a critical moment when important deadlines loom ahead.
“Premier Mario Draghi’s hold on his allies seems to weaken by the day, and it might just get worse the closer we get to the next general elections, which are almost in a year”, he said.
In coming weeks the government is expected to define ambitious fiscal and public administration overhauls and to approve the fiscal framework for the next three years with the amount of public spending earmarked for key pro-growth measures and investments.
The fiscal document will also set out growth, public debt and deficit targets and will form the pillar of the next budget law. By October, the government should forward its spending plans to the European Commission for approval.
Even though all governing party leaders have repeatedly vouched for the longevity of the current cabinet, pledging to entirely support Draghi’s action throughout the remaining part of the legislature, many deputies have doubts. The initial unity between ruling groups back in February when an emergency cabinet was formed to complete the vaccination campaign and secure EU pandemic aid is now weakening, sources noted.
“Let’s face it, if this quarrelsome situation persists and the contrasts among allies keep increasing, things could go really south, raising the risk that the current government might not be able to survive all the way up until the next general vote in 2023”, said the official.
Ruling parties are expected to shortly discuss and approve a series of key structural reforms needed to make a more efficient use of the European Union’s E200 billion pandemic aid. Some E25 billion have already landed and are ready to be used.
But the Democrats and the League are at odds over a thorny justice reform, while the upcoming tax reform supported by Draghi currently lacks the approval of all ruling parties.
Tensions mounted in parliament this week over the extension of the COVID-19 green pass for vaccinated people, and where to make it compulsory. In sign of protest the League voted against the government’s plan of mandatory vaccination for minors, joining forces with the opposition far-right group Brothers of Italy with whom it used to be partners.
The League has also forwarded dozens of amendments to the green pass legislation, set to delay its approval and forcing the council of ministers to change plans.
Sources said that in order to avoid further political contrasts between allies the government has decided to avoid extending the green pass to firms and public offices as previously decided.
Contact this reporter: silvia@macenews.com.
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