Italian populist party leaders infuriated over Conte exit

Rome (AFP) – The leaders of Italy’s populist parties expressed their anger Sunday after their pick for prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced he was giving up his mandate to form a government.

“We have worked together for weeks to create a government that defends the rights of Italian citizens. But someone… told us NO,” Matteo Salvini of the far-right League Party said on social media, following a days-long standoff over the formation of Italy’s next cabinet with President Sergio Mattarella.

Luigi di Maio, who heads the anti-system Five Star Movement, blamed the president for Conte’s withdrawal. “Let’s clearly state that it’s pointless to vote because governments are run by rating agencies, as well as financial and banking lobby groups. Always the same,” he vented in a video posted on Facebook.