The impeachment against Mattarella is not on anymore on the cards. M5s Di Maio announced this on Tuesday. He stated that the possibility of impeachment is not being considered anymore as one needs a majority and Salvini is supporting it.
He also said that wherever they erred and did wrong they will say. He also added that there is a parliamentary majority which needs to be respected and the country should not have a government of technocrats or temps.
Earlier, the designate premier Cottarelli met the Italian President. It is understood that he requires more time.
In the meantime EU Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger’s comments to DW that market pressures could “play a role” in voting habits in Italy have landed him in hot water. The German politician has since apologised.
In an interview with DW, Oettinger said he was not fearful that a fresh election would strengthen Italy’s populist parties — a development which observers say could lead to the country leaving the eurozone or even the European Union. Instead, he thinks financial markets and the state of Italy’s economy will convince voters not to pick left-wing or right-wing populists.
“Even now, developments on bond markets, the market value of banks, and Italy’s economy in general have darkened noticeably and negatively. That has to do with the possible government formation. I can only hope that this will play a role in the election campaign and send a signal not to hand populists on the right and left any responsibility in government,” Oettinger said.
Matteo Salvini, head of right-wing party The League, lashed out on Twitter, writing: “Crazy, in Brussels they are without shame. The EU Budget Commissioner, the German Oettinger, says the markets will show Italians the right way to vote. If that isn’t a threat … I am not scared!” He then demanded that Oettinger resign.
European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker have distanced themselves from Oettinger’s comments. Juncker said that Italy’s fate “does not lie in the hands of the financial markets,” adding that “Italy deserves respect.”
Responding on Twitter, Tusk said: “My appeal to all EU institutions: please respect the voters. We are there to serve them, not to lecture them.”
In the wake of the uproar, Oettinger apologized, saying: “I fully respect the will of voters being left, right or center and in every country. By referring to the actual market developments in Italy, I did not mean to be disrespectful.”
Based on reports from TGcom, Rai, Ansa and DW
