At the moment there is no “counter-bill” from the opposition to the government’s regarding the position of prime minister. But the positions expressed so far, based on the “consultations” with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in May in Montecitorio, lead to a possible shared counter-proposal: a chancellery on the German model. No direct elections, no questioning of the balance with Colle. But introducing some corrective measures can strengthen the prime minister’s powers, promoting government stability. That is, constructive distrust and the power to appoint and dismiss ministers. Carlo Calenda is pushing for a solution of this type and a few weeks ago he urged the Pd and the M5S to form a common front: “Let’s ask for the chancellery together”. The invitation was left without operational follow-up and today Calenda once again ‘supported’ the German solution in an interview. For the Democratic Party it is a reference to look at and the 5 Stars don’t care. A perimeter that could allow common action, removing the suspicions that also hover in parliamentary circles.
The fact that Matteo Renzi supports the Meloni reform despite announcing many changes could open the way for other members of the opposition to speak with the majority who speak of a “reform open to modifications”. A common ‘counter-bill’ would make the positioning on the field clearer and return to ‘German’, as Schlein said at the end of the meeting with Meloni in May: «We asked the executive, looking at the German Model», the issue of institute “of constructive distrust, which would avoid crises in the dark”. And then Conte at a press conference a few weeks ago: «Some elements of the German system are positive, the M5 is available to deal with other oppositions on the topic of reforms».
For the 5 Stars, “surgical” interventions would be preferable without disturbing the constitutional structure. «The problem is the duration of governments and on this – says Conte – we need to intervene. Constructive distrust is certainly the key. Then we need to strengthen the Prime Minister, and not the government, which today cannot dismiss a minister who does not show himself to be up to his role. It is enough to intervene in these two aspects, without distorting the constitutional structure, to obtain excellent results”. In addition to strengthening the powers of the prime minister, there are also other proposals from the opposition regarding reforms. Schlein brought Meloni a 6-point text. Count 11 proposals. Among the common requests to the Pd and M5S is the “strengthening of referendum institutions and popular initiative laws”. And also limiting the use of emergency decrees. The 5-Stars are also focusing on the rules against “shirt changes.” While the Democrats, Adnkronos highlights, put electoral law reform first. Schlein insisted on the subject several times and spoke a lot about himself after the meeting with Meloni. During Count 2, renovation of the Rosatellum was attempted. A base text was also identified, called Brescellum, by Giuseppe Brescia, president of Constitutional Affairs at M5S. In essence, it was a modification of Rosatellum: through the quota of single-member constituencies and seats all allocated with proportional representation. 5% limit. Pd and M5S agreed, but the attempt remained an attempt due to Italia Viva’s escape. Matteo Renzi closed the hypothesis: «Let a majority law be made, the law of mayors, so that on election night we know who has already won». A double shift that could also be suitable for Meloni’s current premiership.
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
