Opposition Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein on Tuesday accused Premier Giorgia Meloni of cowardice. She claimed the PM avoided the Lower House debate on a no-confidence motion against Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè.
Santanchè has refused to resign but has suggested she may reconsider if she is also indicted in a separate case involving alleged fraud against social security and pensions agency INPS over COVID redundancy funds.
“Meloni has always demanded resignations, yet today she deserted this chamber. How can she not be ashamed of her inconsistency? How can she not see how cowardly it is to keep fleeing from this chamber and reality?” Schlein said. “Where is the prime minister hiding? Perhaps she is recording another video to send to a convention featuring chainsaws and Nazi salutes.”
Five Star Movement (M5S) leader and former premier Giuseppe Conte also criticised Santanchè, rejecting her claim that M5S opposes wealth.
“Italy cannot afford to have ministers and undersecretaries under accusation, even for circulating counterfeit bags,” Conte said. “Minister Santanchè said we hate wealth, yet you have waged war on the poor. What we hate is dishonesty.”
Despite the controversy, the Lower House rejected the no-confidence motion against Santanchè, following her indictment for alleged false accounting at her former company, Visibilia. As expected, the motion failed due to the government’s majority, with 206 votes against, 134 in favour, and one abstention.
During the debate, Santanchè reiterated she would only consider resigning if indicted in the INPS fraud case.
