- Title: ITALY: Italy's centre-left leader calls for government of change
- Date: 13th April 2013
- Summary: ROME, ITALY (APRIL 13, 2013) (REUTERS) MEDIA AND DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS IN CULTURAL CENTRE CENTRE-LEFT DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER, PIER LUIGI BERSANI, WALKING THROUGH CROWD PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PD) SUPPORTERS WATCHING CENTRE-LEFT DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER, PIER LUIGI BERSANI, WALKING ONTO STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CENTRE-LEFT DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER, PIER LUIGI BERSANI, SAYING: "We have to explain why we do not want a grand coalition, not just say that we don't want a grand coalition. Because we don't like Berlusconi? That is not the argument, that is not the answer to the problems. It's not just because people don't like Berlusconi. But here there are different problems. The point is that this is not the answer to our problems." SUPPORTERS LISTENING TO BERSANI (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) CENTRE-LEFT DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER PIER LUIGI BERSANI SAYING: "The constitution states that the President of the Republic represents national unity. It is nothing to do with the government, it's important to remember, because the government does something else. The government has to use strong treatment to face the crisis and to bring back confidence to this country. The President of the Republic has to guarantee the unity of the nation." PEOPLE OUTSIDE CULTURAL CENTRE MEDIA OUTSIDE CULTURAL CENTRE (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ANNAMARIA FABBRI SAYING: "I really hope that they don't decide on a grand coalition. Let's see, we'll just have to wait until they elect the President of the Republic, then we'll see." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) UMBERTO FABBRI SAYING: "I will tell you one thing, if they make even a small agreement with PDL, I've always voted for the PC (Communist Party) PD, PS (Socialist Party), I won't vote any more, I won't do it." MEDIA CROWDING OUTSIDE CULTURAL CENTRE WOMAN HOLDING SIGN READING (Italian): "Berlusconi, you who can, go and get your pension!"
- Embargoed: 28th April 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: General,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA92N3OCAV5KSB29A5SVCYT53W2
- Story Text: The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) rallied in Rome on Saturday (April 13) reacting to recent suicides linked to economic difficulties and calling for a government of change.
No government has been formed since the national election which left no single political force with a working majority in parliament. The country remains in a political deadlock.
The PD is divided over whether to join forces with its centre-right rival Silvio Berlusconi, who says a "grand coalition" is the only way to break the political impasse caused by February's inconclusive national vote.
"We have to explain why we do not want a grand coalition, not just say that we don't want a grand coalition. Because we don't like Berlusconi? That is not the argument, that is not the answer to the problems," said centre-left Democratic Party Leader Pier Luigi Bersani
"It's not just because people don't like Berlusconi. But here there are different problems. The point is that this is not the answer to our problems," he added.
Bersani has repeatedly ruled out an alliance with Berlusconi, an unpalatable figure for many PD voters, but high-ranking party officials increasingly argue that a government with the media tycoon is a better option than a snap vote.
Bersani met with Berlusconi during the week to discuss the criteria for selecting a politically neutral president, but both said they did not talk about the formation of a government.
"The constitution states that the President of the Republic represents national unity. It is nothing to do with the government, it's important to remember, because the government does something else. The government has to use strong treatment to face the crisis and to bring back confidence to this country. The President of the Republic has to guarantee the unity of the nation." said Bersani.
The February 24-25 election gave the centre left control of the lower house but not the Senate, where only an alliance with Berlusconi's centre right or Beppe Grillo's 5-Star Movement would permit the formation of a government.
The PD chief sought to woo the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, but he has not opened to the PDL even though he was forced to admit to President Giorgio Napolitano before Easter that he failed.
"I really hope that they don't decide on a grand coalition. Let's see, we'll just have to wait until they elect the President of the Republic, then we'll see," said supporter AnnaMaria Fabbri.
"I will tell you one thing, if they make even a small agreement with PDL, I've always voted for the PC (Communist Party) PD, PS (Socialist Party), I won't vote any more, I won't do it," added long-time left wing supporter Umberto Fabbri.
Parliament begins voting to replace Napolitano on Monday (April 18). Constitutional rules have prevented him from dissolving parliament at the end of his mandate, leaving it to his successor to call new elections if no accord can be found to allow the formation of a government. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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