by Eric J. Lyman

ROME, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday sacked a junior minister and ranking member of one of the two political parties backing his government, a move some analysts said could be the start of a new phase for the professor-turned-head of government.

The official Conte removed was Armando Siri, a deputy minister of transport and a top official with the nationalist, anti-migrant League, the junior member of his government coalition. Siri was caught in a swirl of corruption charges related to bribery and connections to organized crime.

Siri had denied any wrongdoing and Matteo Salvini, one of Italy's deputy prime minister and head of the League continued to support Siri. But Luigi Di Maio, the other deputy prime minister and head of the anti-establishment Five-Star Movement, repeatedly called for Siri's ouster.

In the end, Conte -- a former law professor who is not formally a member of either of the two parties supporting his government -- came down on the side of Di Maio and the Five-Star Movement. Last week, Conte called on Siri to resign and when Siri refused, he used Wednesday's cabinet meeting to fire him.

"Without the citizens' trust, we cannot continue to consider ourselves the government of change," Conte said after Siri's removal was formalized.

Analysts and media reports have noted that for most of the 11 months of the current Italian government, Conte's main role has been finding what political scientist Flavio Chiapponi called the "delicate balance" between the often opposing policies of the Five-Star Movement and the League.

"This is the first time since he became prime minister that Conte has played the protagonist role, following his own agenda," Chiapponi, who specializes in political communications at the University of Pavia, told Xinhua. "Neither party was going to compromise when it came to Siri, and so Conte took the stance of, 'I'm the prime minister; I decide.'"

Luca Ricolfi, an author, political analyst, and sociologist, said he believed Conte feared the disagreement over Siri could have pulled the fragile government coalition apart at a difficult time, in the lead up to elections for European Parliament later this month.

"It's possible Conte was simply acting to preserve the government he heads," Ricolfi said in an interview. "He might have simply been acting in his own self-interest."

But both Chiapponi and Ricolfi said it was also possible that Conte could also be strengthening his hold on the prime minister's role.

"Conte had no political experience, he had to learn on the job," Chiapponi said. "It's possible that he is growing into the job and more willing to make unilateral decisions."

Ricolfi agreed: "Six months ago, I don't think Conte would have done the same thing," he said.

Di Maio praised the developments after Wednesday's cabinet meeting, calling it a "victory for honest Italians ... who demand firmness in a country where corruption is a national emergency."

Salvini was less content, though he said he would respect the decision on Siri. "Trials are usually conducted in court." Salvini said. Enditem

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