5-Star Movement's Luigi Di Maio wants the job of deputy prime minister. — Reuters pic
ROME, Aug 28 — The deputy prime minister of a new Italian government should be a member of the Democratic Party (PD), its deputy leader Andrea Orlando said today, potentially re-igniting tensions in talks with the ruling 5-Star Movement.
The two parties are negotiating the formation of a new government after the previous coalition between 5-Star and the far-right League party collapsed last week.
The reinstatement of outgoing Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has been a sticking point, insisted on by 5-Star but resisted by the PD. Now the PD is annoyed because it says 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio wants the job of deputy prime minister despite their opposition.
“Di Maio is not a problem. The problem is that if there is a premier from the 5-Star it is fair that his deputy is from the PD,” Orlando said on Twitter. — Reyters