Italy Coalition Faces 'Collapse' Crisis... Political Chaos Amid COVID-19 Impact
'Yeonjeong Guseong Jeongdang' IV Defection... Ministers Resign
Senate Majority Collapses... Early General Election Possible
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Italian coalition government is on the brink of collapse. Internal conflicts that began over the COVID-19 economic recovery plan have led to the withdrawal of coalition parties, adding political chaos to the national crisis. If Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte fails to find a new coalition partner, the worst-case scenario could be the dissolution of parliament and an early general election.
According to the Guardian and other sources on the 13th (local time), Matteo Renzi, former Prime Minister and leader of the centrist coalition party Italia Viva (IV), announced that he would withdraw his support for the current Conte government and leave the coalition. Consequently, Teresa Bellanova, Minister of Agriculture, Elina Bonetti, Minister for Equal Opportunities, and Ivan Scalfarotto, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, all affiliated with IV, resigned.
Former Prime Minister Renzi criticized the coalition centered around Conte, saying, "If Italy has the highest number of deaths from COVID-19 and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has collapsed, there must be reasons for that," and that the coalition failed to properly respond to major issues.
With IV's exit, the Italian coalition government loses its majority in the Senate. Accordingly, Prime Minister Conte is expected to resign and then seek a vote of confidence from President Sergio Mattarella to form a new coalition. If he fails to form a new coalition, President Mattarella may appoint another figure as prime minister to establish a new government without Conte. There is also a possibility that Conte will request a parliamentary confidence vote on the coalition, aiming to secure support from centrist and independent lawmakers to fill the IV vacancy.
If all efforts fail, parliament will be dissolved, and an early general election will be held. The current parliamentary term lasts until 2023. Given the heavy impact of COVID-19, holding another election is a burdensome and worst-case option.
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Renzi's announcement came after conflicts among coalition parties over the economic recovery plan to address the economic damage caused by COVID-19. Key points of contention included the plan for using the €209 billion allocated to Italy from the European Union (EU) COVID-19 recovery fund and the use of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). However, some view Renzi's move as a political maneuver aimed at reviving his career and securing political leverage. According to a survey conducted by Ipsos, over 70% of Italians believe that now is not the right time for a political crisis and find Renzi's announcement difficult to understand.
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