Disagreement Over Judicial Reform Proposal... Italy Coalition Shaken

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Italy is experiencing intensified internal conflicts within its coalition government over judicial system reform proposals. The atmosphere of conflict, which began with the successive departures of lawmakers from the Five Star Movement, a key pillar of the coalition, appears to be escalating further.

According to local media on the 16th (local time), Italia Viva (IV), classified as part of the ruling camp, has begun opposing the coalition's judicial reform and aligning with the right-wing opposition.

IV is one of the three main parties forming the coalition alongside the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party. However, it has sparked tensions by differing in opinions from the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party on various policies. In particular, it has shaken the foundation of the coalition by taking a sharp stance against judicial reform centered on improving the statute of limitations system.

Alfonso Bonafede, Minister of Justice from the Five Star Movement, submitted a judicial reform bill to the parliament last year that aims to ensure court rulings are made before the statute of limitations on crimes expires, and it was passed at the end of last year.

Italy is notorious in Europe for prolonged trial procedures. The European Court of Human Rights has pointed out that the time taken from the first trial to the final judgment is 1,200 times longer than in other countries.

This bill came into effect on January 1 of this year, but the right-wing coalition, centered on the far-right party Lega, has continuously attempted to repeal the reform midway. They argue that the reform undermines judicial stability and could actually lengthen trial durations.

Notably, IV joined the right-wing coalition in this vote, drawing criticism from within the coalition. Although it has been customary for coalition partners to unite their votes once parliamentary voting proceeds, even if there are differing voices on policy issues, IV broke ranks for the first time since the coalition's inception.

Local political circles are expressing concerns that IV's rebellion could be the starting point for the coalition's eventual collapse.

Meanwhile, the crisis of coalition disintegration is intensifying as another senator from the Five Star Movement has left the party.

Senator Luigi Di Marzio submitted his resignation from the party on the 16th, expressing dissatisfaction that party leader and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio is concentrating too much power among his close associates.

This marks the fifth departure from the Five Star Movement in the past month. As a result, the coalition's seat count in the 321-seat Senate has dropped slightly below the majority threshold (161 seats) to 159 seats.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.