Premier Giuseppe Conte said
Thursday he would see restive Italia Viva (IV) leader Matteo
Renzi at the latter's request next week amid government tension
on judicial reform and other issues.
"Renzi has asked me for a meeting and I have already replied
that I am more than willing, my door has always been open and
will always be open: we will certainly meet next week," said
Conte on his arrival at an EU summit in Brussels.
He said it would be "absolutely improper for me to seek other
majorities" instead of the current one with the 5-Stars (M5S),
the Democratic Party (PD), IV and the Free and Equal (LeU)
party, despite Renzi's recent brinkmanship.
Conte added that he would brief parliament on the
government's 2023 agenda shortly.
On the EU budget, the subject of the summit, Conte said
enough resources were needed for the great challenges facing the
Union.
Renzi on Wednesday night launched the idea of reforming
the Italian premier's job by setting up a so-called 'mayor of
Italy' but his government partner the PD immediately scotched
the notion.
Renzi, a former premier and PD leader, also floated the
proposal of an "institutional government" without current
Premier Giuseppe Conte at the helm.
Again, the PD rejected the proposal.
PD Senate Whip Andrea Marcucci said "there are not the
conditions" for the moves.
He stressed that there was a deal with IV for a new electoral
law and other "adjustments".
PD leader Nicola Zingaretti said Thursday "we should have
fewer polemics and more action".
Renzi said "I hope to put an end to these theatrics with
Conte next week".
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