Italy's Salvini says ready to pass budget before elections

Italy's League leader Matteo Salvini said on Tuesday he was ready to keep the coalition government alive to approve a 2020 budget and vote in the reform of parliament before heading to early elections.

Salvini, who serves as deputy prime minister, has presented a motion of no confidence in the government. However, he told parliament that he would be willing to hold back a while to let key legislation pass.

"Do you want to cut the number of parliamentarians and then go to vote? We're ready for that. If you then want to present a courageous budget, then we are ready for that too," he told the Senate.