Third term, Tajani raises the bar to get the Irpef cut. Now Meloni's word
Fi leader warns: I will not sell myself for a plate of lentils. Pressing from Salvini, who fears Zaia free. Meloni's objectives: government stability and electoral reform. Summit in the coming hours
by Emilia Patta
3' min read
Key points
- Tajani raises the price: I don't want armchairs, yes to the reduction of IRPEF rates
- Time is running out: amendment in the Senate to the bill on the number of councillors
- Salvini's interest: keeping 'Doge' Zaia busy
- Meloni's reversal after the Campania law is challenged
- Palazzo Chigi's objectives: government stability and electoral reform
3' min read
"I don't sell myself for a plate of lentils. Negotiations are always political, not about power sharing. It's not like I change my mind about a third term if they give me the mayor of Verona or the mayor of Milan'.
Tajani raises the price: I don't want seats, yes to the reduction of Irpef rates
For the second consecutive day, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is still returning from Canda where the G7 was held, the vice-premier and leader of Forza Italia Antonio Tajani reiterates his opposition to the third mandate for governors dear to the League and on which Fratelli d'Italia has opened a window of opportunity. But in reiterating his opposition in principle ("we are against it not because we are against someone, but because there are encrustations of power that then risk being detrimental to democracy"), he makes it clear that negotiation is possible on the issues and not on the seats. 'The third term is not in the programme, and if I have to accept something that is not in the programme it is obvious that then the allies have to accept something that is not in the programme that we propose, for example'. Translated: our line on reducing the Irpef rates instead of the scrappage demanded loudly by the League must pass.
Timing is tight: amendment in the Senate to the bill on the number of councillors
The only certain thing is that time is running out if the rules for the autumn regional elections are to be changed (the Council of State has ruled that the Veneto region must vote by 20 November). And equally certain is that the only one who can settle the dispute is Meloni herself in the next few hours. As for the instrument, the League's plenipotentiary and Minister for Regional Affairs Roberto Calderoli has identified it in the bill on the increase in the number of regional councillors being examined by the Senate's Constitutional Affairs Committee and has promptly requested and obtained a week's postponement of the deadline for submitting amendments.
Salvini's interest: keeping 'Doge' Zaia busy
That Matteo Salvini is pushing for a third term in office, although it must be said that the issue is not one for which he is tearing his hair out, is obvious: losing Veneto after fifteen years would be a tremendous blow for the 'cradle' of the Carroccio, and in addition, keeping a Zaia who could otherwise be a dangerous competitor in the party or in the government still occupied in his job as 'Doge' is the safest solution for the Lega Nord leader.
Meloni's reversal after the Campania law challenge
And Meloni? At Palazzo Chigi the will to find a solution is there. But here it is necessary to take a step back. And understand why Meloni, after successfully challenging the Campania law on the third term of office before the Constitutional Court, has in recent weeks made a resounding U-turn and opened up to the League's pressure to revise the 2004 national law by raising the term limit for governors from two to three so as to allow both Zaia to run again in Veneto and Vincenzo De Luca to do so in Campania (a welcome side effect, the latter, which would wreak havoc in a centre-left already ready to converge on the Pentastellist Roberto Fico).
