Italy’s populist five-star movement today voted on the possible lifting of parliamentary immunity of Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and whether the head of the coalition partner of the right-wing populist Lega party may have to answer a court for abuse of office and deprivation of liberty.
Investigators in southern Italy want to continue investigations into Salvini, which is about the behavior of the Interior Minister in connection with the Italian Coast Guard ship „Diciotti“ last August. The „Diciotti“ had seized 177 refugees in the Mediterranean who had to stay on board for days because Salvini refused to allow them to land. After severe criticism, the „Diciotti“ was finally allowed to dock in the Sicilian port of Catania.
Decision is up to the Senate
Salvini’s immunity will be decided tomorrow by the Italian Senate, to which he belongs. The delegates of the five-star movement want to be guided by the vote of their members. Party leader Luigi Di Maio has been in the matter as well as head of government Giuseppe Conte behind Salvini.
The question of the online survey also seems to anticipate the outcome: „Was the delay in landing the ‚Diciotti‘ in order to distribute the immigrants to various European countries in the interest of the state?“, It says on the website. A „yes“ would stop the investigation, a „no“ allows prosecutors to continue.
