It all starts at 8:30 am at the Chamber’s Budget Committee. The leaders of the majority groups discuss what, in reality, has already been decided by Giorgia Meloni, Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani. Thus, rapporteur Ylenja Lucaselli confirms that she has an opinion “against” the ratification of the agreement that amends the Treaty establishing the ESM, the European Stability Mechanism. The opposition is taken by surprise. The Undersecretary of Economy, Federico Freni, smiling with the green tie he has just received as a gift («but the color of the League has been blue since 2018», he recalls), is not disturbed: «In front of the Northern League the positions have never changed . The League prides itself on its consistency, so I don’t expect anything new. After that, I represent the government here and the government will be consistent with the will of Parliament.” It is then Lucaselli who reads the opinion: «The fifth committee – he states – considered that the bill” to ratify the agreement that amends the MEE « lacks adequate mechanisms to guarantee Parliament’s involvement in the procedure for requesting activation of the European Stability Mechanism” and “excludes the Chambers from procedures of significant importance in terms of economic and financial policy choices”, thus potentially “calling into question the possibility for Parliament to monitor future payments of subscribed capital”. The committee therefore expresses a “contrary opinion”.
The FdI and the Lega are willing to vote in favor of the opinion, the FI – Antonio Tajani communicated this to Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini – will abstain, both in the committee and in the Chamber. “It’s an abstention consistent with our history,” he said. Roberto Pella, leader of the Italian group on the Budget, is quick to explain. The vote follows the script: the Chamber rejects the ratification of the MEE amendment agreement with 184 votes against, 72 in favor and 44 abstentions. They vote against FdI, Lega and M5S, in favor of Pd, Action, Italia viva and +Europa, while the moderates Forza Italia and Noi abstain. Thus, the opposition ended up divided. With the 5 Stars confirming the line announced by Giuseppe Conte in recent days. Remember that it was Conte himself, when he was Prime Minister, who committed the government of the time to ratifying the MEE. «A battle that lasted more than ten years ends here», exults Bagnai, member of the Northern League. «Another ratification proposal can always be presented, with some substantial changes, but here in the Chamber there will be no discussion of it for six months», informs the FdI. From the Democratic Party, however, it is secretary Elly Schlein who directly attacks: «It was a colossal denial of Giorgetti that the majority implemented in Parliament. You should think about the consequences of this”, he continues, noting that “yesterday they accepted an agreement made by France and Germany head on and today they confess with this MEE vote, that they never really entered into the negotiations on the Stability and Growth Pact, of having been defeated. Votes against. The deputies who rejected the ratification of the MEE had 72 votes in favor and 44 abstentions. But the message of retaliation undermines Italy’s credibility.”
For Conte, however, “there is always a moment of truth, when the propaganda goes away and the reality of the facts remains”. However, Palazzo Chigi does not close the door completely as “the Italian Parliament’s choice not to proceed with ratification could be an opportunity to initiate a reflection at European level on new and possible changes to the treaty, more useful for the entire area euro » . Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also speaks of a path that is still open: «If the objective is to ensure that no country enters into crisis, we are the first to agree. What we have always disagreed with is that what happened in Greece should happen, where a country lost its sovereignty for a few years and the citizens were the ones who paid the consequences.” Matteo Salvini, however, remains adamant, celebrating the “victory” obtained “thanks to the League”. «Parliament rejects the MEE – writes the deputy prime minister via social media -: Italian retirees and workers will not run the risk of paying for the rescue of foreign banks. And it doesn’t matter if they get angry at the left. A League battle fought for years and finally won. Keep it up, with your head held high and without fear.”
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.
