In Italy, parliament will vote today on an aid package to absorb high energy prices. The Five Star Movement (M5S), the right-wing anti-establishment party that sits in the government, has announced that it will vote against the plan. Prime Minister Mario Draghi previously said he would resign if his coalition partner boycotts the vote.
M5S party leader Giuseppe Conte, the previous Italian prime minister, said the country was facing an unprecedented economic and social crisis and that the government had not listened to his party’s demands.
The move by the Five Star Movement is adding further instability to Italy, which is already battling an energy crisis, drought and skyrocketing debt. He also creates uncertainty about aid to Ukraine, as Conte opposed arms supplies and instead pushed for negotiations with Russia.
“We are fully prepared to provide constructive support to Prime Minister Draghi’s government, but we are not going to give them a blank check,” Conte said last night after a day of deliberations. “This is not arrogance, but attention to families and companies.”
The Senate will vote on Thursday on measures for companies and households due to high energy prices. Draghi has the support of other major parties, including the Democratic Party and Lega, so he will win the vote. However, the prime minister said he will resign if the Five Star Movement boycotts the vote. He is expected to meet with President Sergio Mattarella afterwards.
Draghi has been under pressure from various parties within his broad coalition for months to water down economic reforms and reshuffle his government. M5S, which is losing popularity in the polls and which saw a key figure leave with Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, is asking for more support for workers and families.
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