(see related)
The centre-left Democratic Party (PD)
on Sunday backed President Sergio Matterella after his
controversial rejection the nomination of Paolo Savona as
economy minister.
"The League and the 5-Star Movement are using unheard of
words and unprecedented threats," caretaker PD leader Maurizio
Martina said via Twitter.
"We are ready to mobilize to defend democracy and our
institutions.
"I invite (M5S leader Luigi) Di Maio and (League leader
Matteo) Salvini to measure their works - their attacks on the
head of State and the institutions are unheard of," he added in
an interview with a RAI TV show.
"The president has been a guarantor of the Italian people and
he has our thanks".
Outgoing Premier Paolo Gentiloni also expressed his support
for Mattarella.
"Steady nerves and solidarity for President Mattarella,"
Gentiloni said via Twitter after premier designate Giuseppe
Conte dropped his bid to form a 5-Star Movement/League
government following President Mattarella's rejection of Savona.
"Now we have to save our great country".
Ex-premier and former PD leader Matteo Renzi said the attacks
on Mattarella were "shameful".
"Salvini did not want to govern: he made unachievable
promises, he is afraid of his lies," Renzi, who quit as PD
leader after its poor showing in the March general election,
said via Twitter.
"And so he used the alibi of a minister to cause everything
to collapse - old-style League.
"But threatening #Mattarella is shameful. You don't mess
about with the institutions".
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