PRESS RELEASE
Brussels
10 September 2019
Italy’s lower and upper houses have approved the new coalition government combining the 5-Star Movement and the Democratic Party (PD) with the Independent Giuseppe Conte remaining as Prime Minister.
Commenting on the new government, the co-chair of the European Green Party Monica Frassoni said:
“In Prime Minister Conte’s speech there is little to suggest his new government has the sense of urgency that the climate emergency would require to tackle the immense environmental and social challenges both Italy and Europe are facing.
“It claims to want to usher in a Green New Deal but has failed until now to bring into government the Green talent and expertise that remains crucial if we are to protect the environment and deliver the transformational change that is needed. Also, the new government will need to overcome the illiberal and xenophobic actions of the previous government against migrants, but also against organised civil society and free media, which was not only espoused by the former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini but also the Prime Minister Conte and the current Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.
“We take note of Mr. Conte’s commitment to Europe and we are ready to engage in an extended debate on the climate emergency and the future of Europe with our strong belief that the mission of the EU is to be climate and democracy proof. Still, we are convinced that there cannot be consistent green policies without a strong, autonomous green institutional presence. As such, we will continue to support efforts to this end, building on Europa Verde’s result in the European elections.
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Paul Nolan
E paul.nolan@europeangreens.eu
M +32 475 94 69 81
T +32 2 626 07 26
European Green Party
Rue Wiertz 31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
