国际英语资讯:Italian govt wins confidence vote on security decree tightening rules_时事

国际英语资讯:Italian govt wins confidence vote on security decree tightening rules

Delivered by the government in early June, the decree needed green light by both chambers of parliament by Aug. 13 to become law, and the lower house -- where the cabinet had a more robust majority -- passed it smoothly in late July.

However, the result of the confidence vote was more uncertain this time, and the procedure closely followed by domestic analysts. With tension between League and M5S running high on a wide range of issues lately, in fact, the confidence vote was seen as a political test for the solidity of the ruling coalition.

KEY CONTENTS

Among the key measures introduced, the law widens the powers of the Interior Ministry, which will now be allowed to decide -- in concert with Ministries of Defense and Infrastructure -- whether "to limit or forbid entry, transit or staying of ships in Italian waters, for public safety reasons and in case of violation of current laws concerning immigration."

It allows Italian authorities to fine rescue ships operated by non-governmental aid groups (NGOs) -- and the ship owners -- between 150,000 and 1,000,000 euros (between 168,031 U.S. dollars and 1.12 million U.S. dollars) if they violate the above rule, and to seize the boats.

Originally set up to 50,000 euros, the maximum fine was increased during the discussion of the decree in the lower house.

The new law also allows police to run undercover operations and to use wiretapping "to acquire useful information to prevent the crime of favoring illegal immigration", while the immediate arrest was made possible for those forcing the limitation to enter national waters.