Salvini calls for snap election and pulls out of coalition with 5-Star

Italian deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called for a snap election, pulling his League party out of a ten-month coalition with the 5-Star Movement party, amid allegations from his rivals that he was simply trying to capitalise on his improved poll ratings.

Salvini’s far-right League filed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday and was reportedly hoping that new general elections might take place as soon as October.

He claimed the coalition was unworkable and accused critics of scheming to save their posts and keep him from power.

“Under-the-table stitch-ups, palace intrigues, technocrat or caretaker administrations will not stop Italians who want a strong government,” he said on Facebook on Sunday.

Former Democratic Party leader Matteo Renzi replied that returning to the polls just when the government is due to start preparations for the 2020 budget would be “crazy”.

Current PD chief, Nicola Zingaretti, accused Salvini of running scared from what were expected to be tough budget decisions.

"Over the last four to five weeks (Economy Minister Giovanni) Tria, (Premier Giuseppe) Conte, (M5S leader Luigi) Di Maio and Salvini have all said different things about the public finances and how to address the budget.

"They have recognized that they don't have a policy to propose to the Italian people and they are running away," Zingaretti said, according to ANSA.

5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio also said on Sunday that triggering a government crisis now was “foolish and dangerous.”

Yet only Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, had the power to dissolve parliament. If he proved unwilling to call for an election due to the budget deadline that needed to be met with the European Commission, he could try instead to form a new government on the basis of the existing legislature.