PD to put forward no confidence motion in Salvini

Italy’s Democratic Party will put forward a motion of no confidence against Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

The opposition party’s announcement came after Salvini, the leader of the far-right League, refused to appear in parliament to answer lawmakers’ questions on allegations that his party has sought Russian funding.

On Wednesday, Salvini left it to Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to address the Senate in his place.

Conte told lawmakers that he had “full confidence” in his interior minister and that there was no proof of any wrongdoing on Salvini’s part.

The prime minister also said that Salvini had not answered his questions about his aide Gianluca Savoini’s trip to Russia in October, when he reportedly met with Russian officials to discuss funneling millions of euros to the League via a secret oil deal.

The center-left Democratic Party deemed Conte’s explanation insufficient and said it was unacceptable that the minister refused to attend in person. Senator Andrea Marcucci said that Salvini had “escaped his responsibilities” and would therefore have to face a no-confidence vote.

Meanwhile, the populist 5Stars Movement — the League’s coalition partner in government — exited the Senate hall when Conte began his address.

Via Politico