“I congratulate the League and the Democratic Party. For us, the European elections went badly and we learn a great lesson from this vote. We learn and we don't give up." These are the first words of Luigi Di Maio, deputy prime minister and political leader of the 5 Star Movement, in the press conference convened the day after European elections, which ended with a debacle for the M5S.
"No one has asked for my resignation – Di Maio specified – We all agree on the fact that the Movement must be reorganized, but no one has spoken of heads that have to jump ”.
According to the deputy premier grillino, now we need "a reorganization that must bring the Movement much closer to the territories, to become more effective and efficient and at the same time protect the identity of the Movement. As a political force we will never give up saying no in this government to what we don't agree with and to curb measures not provided for in the government contract. We will always be a barrier to what doesn't suit us and we will carry on the contract with loyalty”.
As for the extent of the defeat, for Di Maio it is mainly connected to abstention: “As a political force, the M5S is running a marathon, not the 100 meters. It is clear that many of our people did not go to vote. There are still many answers to give to these people. There are promises to be kept, which we made both in the electoral campaign first for the elections of 4 March 2018 and then for these European ones".
And what are the issues the government needs to focus on now? Di Maio lists three: “The minimum hourly wage, the provision for families who have children and a serious reduction in taxes. These issues are at the center of the priorities of Italians. I heard from the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, and I asked him to convene a government summit as soon as possible, because we have so much to accomplish. Never like in this moment there is a need for humility and work”.
In the morning though the other deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, winner of the European championships with the League, had spoken of the need to unblock two issues on which there has always been friction within the majority: the Tav and the regional autonomies.
On the first point, Di Maio distances himself by recalling that "the dossier has been in the hands of the Prime Minister for over a month". While on autonomy, Deputy Prime Minister Gillino opens up to the ally, but setting limits: “Autonomy will be achieved, but it must be done by respecting national cohesion. We must not create C-series schools or C-series healthcare”.
