Italy’s Renzi Could Back a New Government to Avoid Elections Bloomberg 29/01/2021 John Follain and Chiara Albanese
(Bloomberg) Italy’s former premier Matteo Renzi, who triggered the collapse of Italy’s government, said he wants a new cabinet soon to avoid new elections.
Renzi prompted Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s resignation by pulling his tiny Italy Alive party out of the ruling coalition, but he left the door ajar for Conte to return after meeting with President Sergio Mattarella, who’s responsible for choosing a new premier-designate.
“Going to elections in this phase would be an error for Italy and for Italians,” Renzi told reporters at the presidential palace in Rome. “We need a government quickly.”
Vials with a sticker reading, COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only and a medical syringe are seen in front of a displayed AstraZeneca logo in this illustration taken Oct 31, 2020. [Photo/Agencies]
The chief executive of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has vowed to resist pressure from the European Union to divert doses of COVID-19 vaccine intended for the United Kingdom, following problems with supplies to the 27-member bloc, saying the UK gets priority as it signed its contract first.
There were even reports that the company had pulled out of a planned meeting over the issue, although this was later denied.
Vaccines made by both Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford University/AstraZeneca have been approved and are being used in the UK, whereas so far the EU has only approved and used the Pfizer jab, with the AstraZeneca one expected to be given the green light later this week.
4 Min Read
ROME (Reuters) - Italian President Sergio Mattarella, looking to overcome a political crisis that has brought down the government in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, said on Friday he believed the collapsed coalition could still be revived.
League party leader Matteo Salvini speaks during a news conference at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italy January 29, 2021. Francesco Ammendola/Italian Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS
Following three days of talks with party leaders, Mattarella asked lower house speaker Roberto Fico to mediate between the estranged parties, telling him to report back on Tuesday.
“It is necessary to set up a government as soon as possible,” Mattarella told reporters, saying Italy was being severely tested by a health, economic and social emergency.
Italy’s President Ends Talks With Leaders as Five Star Backs Conte Bloomberg 1/29/2021 John Follain and Chiara Albanese
(Bloomberg) Italy’s president summoned the speaker of the lower house of parliament Friday evening and will likely ask him to lead negotiations aimed at solving the country’s political impasse.
President Sergio Mattarella will meet speaker Roberto Fico at 7.30 p.m. in Rome, the head of state’s spokesman told reporters after three days of talks between the president and party leaders. Mattarella wants a quick solution of the stalemate that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte earlier this week.
4 Min Read
ROME (Reuters) - Italian President Sergio Mattarella, looking to overcome a political crisis that has brought down the government in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, said on Friday he believed the collapsed coalition could still be revived.
League party leader Matteo Salvini speaks during a news conference at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italy January 29, 2021. Francesco Ammendola/Italian Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS
Following three days of talks with party leaders, Mattarella asked lower house speaker Roberto Fico to mediate between the estranged parties, telling him to report back on Tuesday.
“It is necessary to set up a government as soon as possible,” Mattarella told reporters, saying Italy was being severely tested by a health, economic and social emergency.