(see related)
The leaders of the two biggest
opposition parties, the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and
the populist 5-Star Movement (M5S), said that Tourism Minister
Daniela Santanchè must go after she was indicted on Friday for
alleged false accounting by her former company.
"Daniela Santanchè has been sent to trial. Just a week ago
(Premier) Giorgia Meloni said she wanted to wait for the
judiciary to make a decision: now it has arrived," said PD
leader Elly Schlein.
"She called for resignations for much less when she was in
opposition. What will she do now?
"Has she changed her mind about this too?
"A Prime Minister cannot use double standards, especially with
friends whom she wanted in government and for whom she is now
politically responsible.
"The trial will take its course to ascertain if she is guilty,
but when the accusations are so serious, whoever holds the
highest institutional office must step down.
"Daniela Santanchè must resign. And Giorgia Meloni must demand
her resignation".
M5S leader and ex-premier Giuseppe Conte echoed those
sentiments.
"We again demand the immediate resignation of the minister,
without wanting to anticipate the outcome of the criminal
trials," Conte said,
"It is absolutely indecorous for the government institutions for
the minister to remain where she is.
"Meloni, who in the past asked for the resignation of ministers
for much less, what are you doing today, will you continue to
fake indifference?
"Do you not feel a twinge of dignity to protect the image and
honor of the institutions?".
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