Experts have weighed in on the ensuing tensions between Italy's coalition government composed of the Lega party and the 5 Star Movement (M5S). Some say the alliance that was forced to stand as one may be collapsing into two.
According to CNBC News, differences in opinions may be getting more apparent over the past few weeks although last year's inconclusive election already suggested that the two sides may not last too long as a single coalition.
This week's European Parliament elections may further display holes in the wall that the two parties have been reiterating to be nonexistent. Political analysts argued that contradicting opinions are gradually showing up, citing Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's decision to cancel a Monday meeting between ministers.
Before the issues were noticed by analysts, M5S's Luigi Di Maio and Lega party's Matteo Salvini appeared fine as they planned this year's national budget. However, a number of segments and sectors gradually opened the book.
Lega has been working to strengthen Italy's anti-immigration laws that spoke of limited rights for asylum seekers. M5S, on the other hand, tried to propose amendments to what politicians dub as the "Salvini decree."
Another topic that showed apparent differences in targets between the two sides is Di Maio's proposal of the "Family Decree" that seeks to provide allowances for low-income families in Italy. As expected by some critics, Lega reportedly wants to block M5S's proposal.
The coalition has repeatedly denied that there is an internal problem that has to be resolved. Analysts said the truth may see daylight during the European Parliament elections that will see M5S and Lega in opposite corners.
On Monday, multiple Italian outlets reported that Salvini is "furious" over the coalition's move of delaying his anti-immigrant decree. M5S has challenged the "Salvini decree" and could be yet another sign of the widening gap within the partnership.
According to Local Italy, Salvini's proposal has triggered criticism from the Catholic Church and M5S leaders. "If [the decree is just an empty electoral stunt it means they're taking Italians for a ride," Di Maiao said.
The United Nations (UN) has also expressed disappointment over the proposal. UN experts reportedly reviewed the decree and based on their findings, the decree may be violating the human rights of people seeking asylum in Italy.
The UN said in a letter to the Italian coalition government that whatever the case, "the right to life and the principle of non-refoulement" should be upheld in national legislation and should be the priority when adopting new measures for national security.
Italy's coalition government has yet to make a final decision on the decree that has been placing M5S and Lega leaders at odds.
