Relations with Parliament
Minister Riccardo Fraccaro told the Senate on Tuesday that the
government was presenting an amendment that replaces the whole
text of its decree on security and migration.
Fraccaro added that the executive was putting the amendment
to a confidence vote, after getting clearance from the Speaker's
office.
Among other things, the decree, drafted by Deputy Premier and
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League
party, makes it easier for the authorities to deport asylum
seekers found guilty of felonies.
The package has caused tension within the ruling coalition
due to the opposition of some members of the 5-Star Movement
(M5S) to certain elements of it.
The confidence vote in the Senate on the amendment will take
place on Wednesday morning, a meeting of Upper House whips
decided on Tuesday.
"After months of work, the final vote on the Senate on the
security-and-immigration decree is coming," Salvini said via
Facebook.
"With this, I'd like to give this country some rules and a
little order.
"It's a step forward for the security not just of Italian
citizens, but also for that of many legal immigrants who are
good people and should not be lumped together with rapists,
pickpockets, drug dealers - people who are not running away from
war, but are bringing war to our home".
Silvio Berlusconi's opposition centre-right Forza Italia
party said it wanted to back the decree but would not take part
in the vote in protest at the decision to put it to a confidence
test.
The Lower House, meanwhile, approved a bill that makes it
impossible for people accused of serious crimes punishable by
life sentences to opt for a fast-track trial.
Sentences passed at a fast-track trial are significantly
shorter than they would be via the ordinary procedure.
The bill now passes to the Senate.
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