- Title: Italy's govt wins confidence vote amidst coalition tensions
- Date: 7th November 2018
- Summary: ROME, ITALY (NOVEMBER 7, 2018) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** ITALIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MATTEO SALVINI ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) SALVINI, SAYING: "There are days that are 'in' and days that are 'out' and this is a beautiful day. At 1209 the Senate approved the confidence vote and our security decree will go forward." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) SALVINI, SAYING: "I can only say, so as not to take over the work of the Finance and Development ministers, that there is no risk, no risk for the country, no risk for Italy, no risk for the economy, no risk of default, no risk of Troika. Failure? We are convinced we have a healthy economy, one of the most healthy. The Italian banking system is much more solid than the German banking system, apart from a few exceptions. If there was a need, I don't think there will be, but if there was a need to intervene we could do so in a quarter-of-an-hour. This is to make any speculators understand that they will spend their money badly if they bet on Italy's problems. I won't enter into technical terms but on this there is already an agreement that in any case we are ready to cover and support the savings of Italians." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 21st November 2018 14:04
- Keywords: Italy's coalition government confidence vote upper house Senate
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- City: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00295I9QH3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Italy's coalition government comfortably won a confidence vote on Wednesday (November 7) in the upper house Senate on a contested security decree amidst growing tensions between the two ruling parties over a raft of issues.
The bill, championed by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is head of the far-right League, tightens immigration regulations, limits the right to asylum, and bolsters anti-terrorism and anti-mafia rules.
Despite some misgivings within the ranks of the League's coalition ally, the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, the government won the vote easily by 163 to 59, with only five 5-Star senators refusing to cast a ballot.
"This is a beautiful day," said a delighted Salvini, who has pinned his credibility on the package, which he says will help cut the number of migrants staying in Italy. Talking of the budget currently under discussion with the EU, he said Italy's economy was healthy and posed no threat to the EU's economic security.
While the security bill caused some internal discomfort, there is greater friction within the government over efforts by the 5-Star to loosen time limits imposed on the prosecution of numerous crimes, including corruption.
Italian newspapers reported on Wednesday growing frustration within both coalition parties.
Asked if he still trusted the League, Infrastructure Minister and 5-Star member Danilo Toninelli said: "For now everything is ok. We begin from different starting points but we find a meeting point."
The bill must now go to the lower chamber for approval. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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