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WORLD NEWS Monday 30 deceMber 2019

Italy's premier: Squabbling coalition will last 3 more years

ruled out heading any new The reforms will include minister over funding for
party, saying that would streamlining bureaucracy schools hadn't hurt his re-
only further confuse Italy's and fighting tax evasion solve to forge ahead with
already fragmented po- to lower the tax burden the coalition.
litical forces. Parliament's on the middle class that is Conte also announced that
term runs out in early 2023. struggling amid a stagnant he was creating a ministry
Conte downplayed any economy. for university and research.
worries about the outcome "If we don't want the coun- For years, Italy has suffered
of the January regional try to go bankrupt, it's clear a brain drain as research-
vote. Instead, he noted to everyone that we must ers go abroad, frustrated
government determination work in a serious, rational, by excess bureaucracy in
to tackle an ambitious re- credible" way, Conte said. a country where connec-
form agenda after the holi- He indicated that the res- tions frequently count more
days. ignation of his education than expertise.q

Italy's premier Giuseppe Conte speaks during his year-end press
conference at Villa Madama, in Rome, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019.
Associated Press

By FRANCES D'EMILIO Opinion polls consistently
Associated Press show that Conte, a lawyer
ROME (AP) — Italy's premier specializing in mediation, is
insisted Saturday his squab- one of Italy's most admired
bling coalition will last three leaders. He first became
more years, even after a premier a year-and-a-half
minister quit in protest and ago in an earlier coalition
despite nervousness over that paired the 5-Stars with
a regional election that the rival right-wing League
could help the popularity led by anti-migrant propo-
of right-wing forces. nent Matteo Salvini.
Premier Giuseppe Conte Now Parliament's main op-
brushed off concerns that position leader, Salvini has
his government, which took been campaigning for
office in September, could right-wing forces to wrest
implode. Infighting has control in next month's
been reported in the main election of the governor-
party, the populist 5-Star ship of the Emilia Romag-
Movement, and among na region, with its capital
leaders of the Democratic in Bologna, long a proud
Party, the other key coali- stronghold of the left.
tion member. Should the League and
Conte is heading his sec- Salvini's allies, including a
ond coalition government growing far-right party with
since 2018 elections for neo-fascist roots, triumph in
Parliament left Italy in po- the regional vote, pressure
litical gridlock, dependent would build on the Demo-
on rival parties governing crats to break off the na-
together. tional government alliance
"I cannot be premier with- with the rival 5-Stars. The
out the full, convinced sup- alliance could be blamed
port of the coalition parties, for alienating traditional
but (early elections) will be left-wing supporters.
a defeat for everyone" with If the Democrats bolt from
voters angry over govern- Conte's government, Ita-
ment infighting, he said. ly's president, Sergio Mat-
Conte advised his coalition tarella, would likely set new
to engage in "lively debate elections.
but not squabbling for Despite his popular-
squabbling's sake." ity among Italians, Conte