Salvini lambastes EU as he links Genoa bridge collapse to Brussels 'budget constraints'
ITALIAN Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini took a swipe at the European Union as he claimed Brussels budget constraints may have prevented local authorities spending money on the maintenance of the collapsed bridge in Genoa.
Italy bridge: Aftermath of collapsed Genoa motorway bridge
Speaking to reporters in Catania after the collapse of a major motorway bridge in Genoa, the eurosceptic Interior Minister vowed to push for a new economic reform that will focus on Italian citizens' safety rather than Brussels demands.
Mr Salvini argued EU's budget constraints prevent Italy to spend its state budget on priorities such as the maintenance of schools, hospitals and motorways around the country.
He said: “If external constraints prevent us from spending to have safe roads and schools, then it really calls into question whether it makes sense to follow these rules.
“There can be no tradeoff between fiscal rules and the safety of Italians.”
Ponte Morandi collapsed on Tuesday near the northern Italian port city of Genoa.
The bridge, a part of the A10 motorway, is about 100 metres tall, Italian media say.
The country's Ministry of Interior confirmed at least 35 dead, including a 10-year-old girl.
30 to 35 cars and three trucks are believed to have been on the bridge at the moment of the collapse.
There can be no trade off between fiscal rules and the safety of Italians
Italy transport minister said the Genoa motorway bridge collapse seems like an “immense tragedy”.
He later condemned those responsible for failing to conduct maintenance works on the bridge in 2016.
He said: “Reports suggest maintenance on the bridge had been done but that can’t be true.
“These tragedies cannot happen in a civilised country like Italy.
“The maintenance of the bridge should have come before anything else, those responsible will pay until the very last cent."
Genoa: Devastating moments after bridge collapses
Authorities have now closed off the motorway A10 Genoa-Savona to Genoa Airport in both directions.
Rail services have also been suspended.
The collapse of the bridge is believed to have been caused by a structural failure.
The bridge was named after engineer Riccardo Morandi and was built between 1963 and 1967.
It is one of the major motorway bridges in the region of Liguria.