Economics
Italy's Budget Battles Fan Speculation Over Tria's Fate
- La Stampa says Tria threatened to quit over Five Star demand
- Five Star already denied report it questioned Tria’s position
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Italy’s populist coalition showed further strains over the budget, with speculation mounting that disputes over spending are undermining Finance Minister Giovanni Tria’s position.
La Stampa newspaper reported on Thursday that Tria threatened to resign following constant pressure from the Five Star Movement over its promise to fund a basic income for the poor. Five Star denied a report on Italy’s Ansa newswire that it would seek Tria’s removal unless it received at least 10 billion euros ($11.6 billion) in the 2019 budget to pay for the measure. A Finance Ministry official said the reports of a possible Tria resignation were unfounded.