The two government parties in Rome apart because of a controversial high-speed rail line between Italy and France. The chief of the Five-star movement, Luigi Di Maio , accused his coalition partner, Matteo Salvini , right Lega on Friday, to put the government at risk.
Both parties fight for a long time, whether or not the Fast line between Turin and Lyon (TAV) after years finally ready to be built or not. While the Lega is for the billion project, the star.
“The question is not who is the bigger stubborn head… that’s kids’ stuff,” said Di Maio on Friday in Rome. “You can’t put a government with a point that is part of the government contract. This is a Paradox.”
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had expressed on Thursday doubts about the rail project; he wants to discuss with France and the EU Commission on the financing. Salvini said he was ready to go for the route “to the Last”.
The TAV would halve the journey time between Turin and Lyon to two hours. The trip from Milan to Paris would only take four instead of seven hours. Image: Matitao/Wikimedia
Until Monday, the government needs to make a decision, because the orders of the company, the head of the project (Telt), should then be put out to tender.
Important railway project for Europe
The proposed 270 km long rail line with a roughly 60-Kilometer-long Tunnel through the Alps is announced for years and is funded by the EU. A part was also already started the construction work.
The cost should be according to estimates by the Italian Ministry of transport at around 20 billion euros. The track to accelerate the train rides between major cities in Europe such as Milan, Venice, Barcelona, Lisbon and Paris, as well as the freight traffic on the rails.
The EU Commission stressed last several times the importance of the project for Europe and warned that in case of further delays, the risk increases that the EU would have withdrawn funds. France holds on to the project. Transport Minister Élisabeth Borne, said that France was “open to discussions between the partners”.
(oli/sda/afp)
Created: 08.03.2019, 20:32 PM
