The Italian House of Representatives has expressed confidence in the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. After a full-day meeting, 343 parliamentarians voted in favor last night in Rome, 263 in No, and three abstained. Today, the Senate still has to vote on the new government, where the majority situation is more uncertain – yet observers assume a narrow majority.
Cabinet Conte was sworn in on Thursday last week. Previously, the populist five-star movement and the Social Democrats (PD) had agreed on a joint government. Conte’s former five-star government and right-wing populist Lega also broke in August.
„Phase of political reforms“
Conte outlined his plans before the vote and announced a „phase of political reform“. Among other things, the government wants to reduce parliament by 345 seats in order to simplify decision-making. Furthermore, a new electoral law is to be adopted and the new budget draft for 2020 will be presented by the end of September. The ancillary wage costs are to be reduced. The government wants to avert a planned increase in VAT from next year. However, around 20 billion euros have to be raised for this
