ROME: Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini was "irresponsible" to spark a political crisis by pulling the plug on the governing coalition, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the Senate on Tuesday.

"It is irresponsible to initiate a government crisis," Conte said after Salvini began his efforts to bring down the government in the hope of snap elections.

"It shows personal and party interests," Conte said of the end of the alliance between the anti-migrant League and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, Conte said.

Salvini "violated the solemn promise he took when the government began that if there were differences they should be discussed in good faith and with loyal collaboration," Conte said as League Senators booed and hissed.

"Making citizens vote is the essence of democracy, asking them to vote every year is irresponsible," Conte added.

"I heard you calling for 'full powers' and invoke (demonstrations in) the piazzas to support you, which worries me," Conte said.