Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini criticised the Vatican on Monday after the papal almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, at the weekend turned the electricity back on at a Rome building illegally occupied by homeless people. The building has been without power since May 6 due to a dispute over unpaid bills.
A complaint against person or persons unknown for illegally hooking up the site and stealing energy was filed by Areti, the power network company of Rome electricity utility ACEA.
Areti sources said it was essential to get back into the building to make the power generator safe.
"Supporting illegal conduct is never a good signal," League leader Salvini said. "There are lots of Italian people and legally resident immigrants who pay their bills, even if they are in difficulty. "As interior minister, I guarantee the rules (are respected).
"If the people in the Vatican want to pay the bills of all the Italians in hardship, we give them a bank account (for it)".
Krajewski said he was unrepentant about the move. "I did it for the children," he told Corriere della Sera.
"I assume all the responsibility. I don't have to give any explanations.
"From now on, I'll pay the bills".
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