Earlier this week, Matteo Salvini’s League party broke ranks backing amendments presented by the opposition Brothers of Italy (FdI) group. Today, the League fell back in line and voted in favour of the Covid decree.
Matteo Salvini’s League fell back into line with the rest of the ruling alliance over the Green Pass on Thursday. Members present voted in favour of a Covid decree regulating the vaccine passport.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the right-wing party broke ranks in parliamentary votes. It backed amendments presented by the opposition Brothers of Italy (FdI) group. This caused tension with the other parties supporting the alliance government.
League won commitments on several issues
Today, Salvini said his party was happy to back the decree after winning commitments on several issues. Among those issues was aid to pay for COVID tests.
The green certificate shows that someone is vaccinated for the coronavirus, has recovered from it or has recently tested negative. It is already a requirement in order to do many things in Italy, such travel abroad or on high-speed trains, attend certain events and to be able to sit at a table inside bars and restaurants.
All school and higher education staff must have it, as well as university students.
Draghi had hoped to extend the Green Pass scope once again
Premier Mario Draghi’s government expected to further extend the scope of the Green Pass this week, making it obligatory for public sector workers and perhaps private ones too.
However, this has been put on hold, given the reservations of the League and due to some technical issues.
In fact, Thursday’s cabinet meeting only extended the scope of the certificate to make it obligatory for workers for external contractors providing services at schools, such as canteen staff and cleaners.
Will there be further extensions?
Sources said Draghi told his cabinet ministers the scope of the vaccine passport would be ramped up shortly.
However, Salvini said on Thursday that, as far as he knew, the scope of the Green Pass was not going to be extended. Salvini is not in favour of making COVID-19 vaccinations obligatory, something Draghi has said he wants.
