Italian government collapse following coalition fractures

Summary:

On 5 June 2019 Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he was ready to resign if rifts within the governing coalition, consisting of the League and the 5-Star-Movement (M5S) were not solved. He also asked the two parties to make a clear decision on the way forward. The coalition leaders, Matteo Salvini (the League) and Luigi Di Maio (M5S),  professed loyalty to the government the following day.

On 20 August, the Italian PM Giuseppe Conte resigned amid government tension ending 14 months of coalition. A no-confidence vote was scheduled on that day. In his speech, Conte criticised Salvani saying he had been working for his personal interest and didn't respect the rules nor his colleagues.

Further information:

The League and M5S formed a coalition government in June 2018 that turned sour, over disagreements on a range of issues, especially on the question how to address the escalating public spending crisis. League pushed for a flat tax, while the M5S focused on an introduction of a 9€ minimum hourly salary.

The split intensified after the League managed to double its vote in the European parliamentary election in May (34%) compared to its results in the general election in 2018 (17%). After the balance of power between both parties turned around, critics speculated that the League might attempt an early election. Salvini, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, had been also criticised for acting as if he was already head of government.

Matteo Salvani publicly showed disagreements with Conte especially over the multi-billion euro high speed train line between Lyon and Turin, and the permission to dock humanitarian vessels in Italian ports. On 8 August, Salvani announced he wanted to put an end to the coalition. Eager to capitalise on his current popularity, he was calling for new election.

On 28 August, M5S and the centre-left Democratic party (PD) have agreed to try to form a new government in a move that could advert snap elections and push the far-right League into opposition. Members of M5S party voted by a large majority on 3 September in favour of a coalition with the PD. The new government with Giuseppe Conte as PM will take office in the following days.

News

CNBC News, 09/05/2019: ‘There is a rift’: Italy’s leaders aren’t even hiding their disagreements anymore https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/09/there-is-a-rift-italys-leaders-arent-even-hiding-their-disagreements-anymore.html

Politico, 13/05/2016: Italy’s incurable economy https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-incurable-economy/

EurActiv, 24/05/2019: #EU2019 – Italy: Testing the balance of power within ruling coalition https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eu2019-italy-testing-the-balance-of-power-within-ruling-coalition/

Bloomberg, 30/05/2019: Salvini Ready to End Coalition Unless Five Star Plays Ball https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-30/salvini-ready-to-end-italy-coalition-unless-five-star-plays-ball

France24, 31/05/2019: Rocky road ahead as Italy's populists mark one year https://www.france24.com/en/20190531-rocky-road-ahead-italys-populists-mark-one-year

RFI, 01/06/2019: 'Stubborn' Salvini challenges Brussels over Italy budget http://en.rfi.fr/contenu/20190601-stubborn-salvini-challenges-brussels-over-italy-budget

The Local (Italy), 01/06/2019: Salvini vows not to yield to Brussels in Italy budget dispute https://www.thelocal.it/20190601/salvini-vows-not-to-yield-to-brussels-in-italy-budget-dispute

Reuters, 02/06/2019: Italy says it won't seek fight with EU, amid talk of government crisis https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN1T30GW

EurActiv, 03/06/2019: Five Star Movement and Lega clash over cruise ship crash https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/five-star-movement-and-lega-clash-over-cruise-ship-crash/

Politico, 03/06/2019: Italian PM Conte threatens to resign over government infighting https://www.politico.eu/article/italian-prime-minister-giuseppe-conte-threatens-to-resign-over-government-infighting/

Deutsche Welle, 03/06/2019: Italy: Conte threatens to quit unless government solves spat https://p.dw.com/p/3Jlru

The Local (Italy), 04/06/2019: Italian PM threatens to quit unless coalition stops bickering https://www.thelocal.it/20190604/italian-pm-threatens-to-resign-unless-coalition-stops-squabbling

Euronews, 04/06/2019: Italy PM threatens to quit, tells warring coalition to end feud https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/03/italy-pm-threatens-to-quit-tells-warring-coalition-to-end-feud

The Irish Times, 04/06/2019: Italian coalition leaders keep sniping after MP's ultimatum https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/italian-coalition-leaders-keep-sniping-after-pm-s-ultimatum-1.3914339

Reuters, 04/06/2019: Italy's Di Maio says confident of League deal over building code https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-politics-di-maio-code/italys-di-maio-says-confident-of-league-deal-over-building-code-idUKKCN1T516L

CNBC, 04/06/2019: Italy faces ‘momentous moment’ amid political fights, threats and instability https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/04/italy-in-crisis-amid-political-fights-threats-and-instability.html

Deutsche Welle, 05/06/2019: EU hits Italy with start of disciplinary action over budget violations https://p.dw.com/p/3JrZ2

Reuters, 05/06/2019: Italy deputy PMs discussed option to exceed 3% budget deficit - paper https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-politics-budget/italy-deputy-pms-discussed-option-to-exceed-3-budget-deficit-paper-idUKKCN1T60HG

Euronews, 09/08/2019: Italy one step closer to fresh elections after League Party announces no-confidence motion https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/09/useless-to-go-ahead-with-daily-quarrels-italy-s-coalition-government-on-brink-of-collapse

Euractiv, 09/08/2019: Italy’s Salvini says government is finished, calls for elections https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/italys-salvini-says-government-is-finished-calls-for-elections/

EuObserver, 09/08/2019: Salvini calls for new elections in Italy https://euobserver.com/news/145618

Euronews, 11/08/2019: Opponents hit out at Salvini's call for snap Italian election https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/11/opponents-hit-out-at-salvini-s-call-for-snap-italian-election

The Guardian, 12/08/2019: Italian senate to set date for no-confidence vote in government https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/12/italian-politicians-move-to-scupper-salvini-election-push

Corriere della sera, 12/08/2019: Renzi considers split from PD in bid to form new government https://www.corriere.it/english/19_agosto_12/renzi-considers-split-from-pd-bid-to-form-new-government-1d07db06-bd1f-11e9-9a7d-1da7a91a90cf.shtml

Politico, 14/08/2019: Crisis and chaos (even by Italian standards) https://www.politico.eu/article/italian-government-crisis-chaos-salvini-conte/

The Local (Italy), 14/08/2019: Chaotic Italian senate session rejects Salvini's call for no-confidence vote https://www.thelocal.it/20190814/chaotic-italian-senate-session-rejects-salvinis-call-for-no-confidence-vote

Euronews, 15/08/2019: Italy government feud: PM Conte slams minister Salvini as 'disloyal' https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/15/italy-government-feud-pm-conte-slams-minister-salvini-as-disloyal

Euronews, 18/08/2019: Italy crisis: 5-Star says Salvini no longer a credible partner https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/18/italy-crisis-5-star-says-salvini-no-longer-a-credible-partner

Euractiv, 20/08/2019: Italy’s government crisis comes to the boil https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/italys-government-crisis-comes-to-the-boil/

Politco, 20/08/2019: Matteo Salvini’s risky call https://www.politico.eu/article/snap-election-matteo-salvini/

The Guardian, 20/08/2019: Italian PM expected to resign as political chaos deepens https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/italian-pm-expected-resign-giuseppe-conte

Bloomberg, 20/08/2019: Salvini Goes on Offense in Final Push to Force Italian Election https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-19/unlikely-italian-alliance-could-block-salvini-but-hurdles-remain?srnd=premium-europe

BBC News, 20/08/2019: Italy government crisis: PM Conte to quit amid coalition row https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49411760

New Statesman, 20/08/2019: Why Italy is heading for crisis once more https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2019/08/why-italy-heading-crisis-once-more

Reuters, 20/08/2019: Italian PM Conte denounces Salvini for toppling government https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-politics/italian-pm-conte-denounces-salvini-for-toppling-government-idUKKCN1VA1GV

The Economist, 20/08/2019: Italy’s Prime Minister Conte resigns, and no one knows what comes next https://www.economist.com/europe/2019/08/20/italys-prime-minister-conte-resigns-and-no-one-knows-what-comes-next

Euronews, 21/08/2019: 'We want a deep change and a solid majority' - potential coalition partners not on same page https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/21/we-want-a-deep-change-and-a-solid-majority-potential-coalition-partners-not-on-same-page

Politico, 21/08/2019: What happens next? 4 possible solutions for the Italian crisis https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-government-crisis-what-happens-next/

Deutsche Welle, 21/08/2019: Italian politicians launch bid to keep new elections, Salvini at bay https://www.dw.com/en/italian-politicians-launch-bid-to-keep-new-elections-salvini-at-bay/a-50115961

The Local (Italy), 22/08/2019: Why do Italy’s governments collapse so often? https://www.thelocal.com/20190822/why-do-italys-governments-collapse-so-often

The Guardian, 22/08/2019: Italian president meets party leaders to explore coalition options https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/22/italian-president-meets-party-leaders-to-explore-coalition-options

The Economist, 22/08/2019: Matteo Salvini hopes elections will make him Italy’s prime minister https://www.economist.com/europe/2019/08/22/matteo-salvini-hopes-elections-will-make-him-italys-prime-minister

The Guardian, 23/08/2019: 'They do not represent us': Italians despair over state of politics https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/23/they-do-not-represent-us-italians-despair-politics

Euractiv, 26/08/2019: Italy’s 5-Star, PD talks on new government hit stumbling block over PM Conte https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/italys-5-star-pd-talks-on-new-government-hit-stumbling-block-over-pm-conte/

Politico, 26/08/2019: Italy’s 5Stars, center left close to forming alliance, officials say https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-5stars-democratic-party-conte/

Bloomberg, 26/08/2019: Italy’s Unlikely Allies Close In on a New Coalition Agreement https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-26/italy-s-five-star-democrat-leaders-to-meet-in-coalition-bid

The Guardian, 26/08/2019: Italian party leaders 'close' to agreement on alliance https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/26/italys-pd-pressed-to-accept-conte-to-lead-m5s-alliance-as-deadline-looms

Euractiv, 27/08/2019: Italy’s PD, 5-Star on verge of government deal with Conte as PM https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/italys-pd-5-star-on-verge-of-government-deal-with-conte-as-pm/

The Guardian, 27/08/2019: Coalition talks resume in effort to avert snap elections in Italy https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/27/coalition-talks-resume-in-effort-to-avert-snap-elections-in-italy

BBC News, 27/08/2019: Italy crisis: Coalition talks resume as parties agree on PM https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49482090

The Local (Italy), 28/08/2019: Here's what you need to know about the coalition talks in Italy https://www.thelocal.com/20190828/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-coalition-talks-in-italy

Euractiv, 28/08/2019: Make or break day in Italy in ‘craziest crisis ever’ https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/make-or-break-day-in-italy-in-craziest-crisis-ever/

Eurotopics, 28/08/2019: Italy: Is the PD-Five Star alliance a good solution? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/225539/italy-is-the-pd-five-star-alliance-a-good-solution

The Economist, 28/08/2019: Italy’s Five Star Movement has a deal to form a new government https://www.economist.com/europe/2019/08/28/italys-five-star-movement-has-a-deal-to-form-a-new-government

The Guardian, 28/08/2019: Salvini sidelined as M5S and Democrats agree Italy coalition https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/28/italy-democratic-party-ready-form-government-m5s

Deutsche Welle, 28/08/2019: Italy agrees new government coalition to avert crisis https://www.dw.com/en/italy-agrees-new-government-coalition-to-avert-crisis/a-50204859

France 24, 28/08/2019: Italy's Five Star reaches deal with Democratic Party to form new government https://www.france24.com/en/20190828-italy-five-star-reaches-deal-democrat-pd-conte-new-government

BBC News, 28/08/2019: Italy crisis: PD and Five Star agree coalition deal after talks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49502232

The Local (Italy), 29/08/2019: Italy's Democratic Party and Five Star Movement confirm government agreement https://www.thelocal.com/20190829/italys-democratic-party-and-five-star-movement-confirm-government-agreement

Euronews, 29/08/2019: Italy's political crisis: Giuseppe Conte gets mandate to form new government after coalition deal https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/28/italy-crisis-deadline-looms-in-talks-to-find-new-government

The Guardian, 29/08/2019: Italian president gives Conte mandate to form new government https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/29/italy-president-gives-giuseppe-conte-mandate-form-new-government-m5s-pd

Euractiv, 29/08/2019: Italy’s Conte to carry on as prime minister as part of shaky government deal https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/italys-conte-to-carry-on-as-prime-minster-as-part-of-shaky-government-deal/

Euractiv, 30/08/2019: How Italy’s government deal was received in Brussels https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/how-italys-government-deal-was-received-in-brussels/

VoxEurope, 30/08/2019: What Salvini’s exit means for Europe https://voxeurop.eu/en/2019/government-crisis-italy-5123724

Deutsche Welle, 02/09/2019: Italy's 5-Star Movement wants members to vote on new coalition online https://www.dw.com/en/italys-5-star-movement-wants-members-to-vote-on-new-coalition-online/a-50255006

The Guardian, 02/09/2019: M5S holds online vote on whether to form Italy coalition https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/02/m5s-online-vote-whether-form-italy-coalition

The Guardian, 03/09/2019: M5S members vote overwhelmingly in favour of Italy coalition https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/03/m5s-members-vote-overwhelmingly-in-favour-italy-coalition

BBC News, 03/09/2019: Italian vote backs Five Star-PD government under Conte https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49563798

Politico, 03/09/2019: Salvini era is over as Italy moves toward pro-EU government https://www.politico.eu/article/italys-5stars-secure-members-approval-for-new-coalition/

Euronews, 04/09/2019: Members of Italy's Five Star Movement overwhelmingly back coalition with Democratic Party https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/03/members-of-itay-s-five-star-movement-vote-79-in-favour-of-coalition-with-democratic-party

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Commentary and Analysis

VOXeurop, 26/04/2019: Will the Lega and 5 Star alliance survive the European elections? https://voxeurop.eu/en/2019/european-elections-5122891

Euro|Topics, 05/06/2019: Italy's divided coalition: Conte threatens to resign https://www.eurotopics.net/en/221126/italy-s-divided-coalition-conte-threatens-to-resign

LSE: EUROPP Blog, 27/06/2019: Outlook for Italy: Fiscal policy and instability in the government remain key sources of risk https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2019/06/27/outlook-for-italy-fiscal-policy-and-instability-in-the-government-remain-key-sources-of-risk/

Eurotopics, 13/08/2019: Ex-PM Renzi standing up to Salvini https://www.eurotopics.net/en/224889/ex-pm-renzi-standing-up-to-salvini

Eurotopics, 20/08/2019: Salvini set to be Italy's new PM? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/225370/salvini-set-to-be-italy-s-new-pm

Politico, 21/08/2019: A no-Salvini alliance is Italy’s best hope https://www.politico.eu/article/a-no-matteo-salvini-alliance-is-italy-best-hope-league-5star-movement-democratic-party/

Eurotopics, 21/08/2019: What next in Rome after Conte's resignation? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/225539/what-next-in-rome-after-conte-s-resignation

Eurotopics, 22/08/2019: Rome: coalition between the PD and Cinque Stelle? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/225539/rome-coalition-between-the-pd-and-cinque-stelle

Eurotopics, 26/08/2019: Can Salvini still become prime minister? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/225370/can-salvini-still-become-prime-minister

Eurotopics, 29/08/2019: Will the new coalition bring calm to Italy? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/225539/will-the-new-coalition-bring-calm-to-italy

Eurotopics, 30/08/2019: Is Italy now in good hands? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/225539/is-italy-now-in-good-hands

New Stateman, 30/08/2019: Italy’s new centrist government isn’t the end of Matteo Salvini’s dreams of power https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2019/08/italy-s-new-centrist-government-isn-t-end-matteo-salvini-s-dreams-power

The Local (Italy), 03/09/2019: ANALYSIS: Why Italy's Democratic Party is betting its future on an unlikely coalition https://www.thelocal.com/20190903/analysis-why-italy-democratic-party-is-betting-its-future-on-an-unlikely-coalition-five-star-movement

Politico, 04/09/2019: The deep roots of Italy’s coalition chaos https://www.politico.eu/article/the-deep-roots-of-italy-coalition-chaos/

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