The "Freedom Pool" opposition formed by Berlusconi's Forza Italia and his allies Gianfranco Fini, leader of the post-fascist National Alliance (Alleanza Nazionale, AN), and the center-right Christian Democrats of Pierferdinando Casini (CCD), paradoxically underlined the coherence of Romano Prodi by highlighting the fact that the new government hasn't had an electoral mandate. On the day after the confidence vote in parliament, Berlusconi, Fini and Casini gathered with hundreds of thousands of supporters in the center of Rome to ask for new elections.
The other two opposition forces are, however, definitely not of the same opinion. Weakened by the Cossutta split, Communist leader Bertinotti has promised a "constructive opposition" to this first government lead by a former Communist, which (to his "great surprise" !) has revealed itself to be even more on the right than its predecessor. Even the leader of the Northern League Umberto Bossi (Lega Nord) has given credit to D'Alema. Following a split in his party in Venice he abandoned his claim for secession and announced his desire to lead his party back to participation in government. Party games have definitely been reopened in Italian politics.
Prime minister : Massimo D'Alema (DS)
Vice President : Sergio Mattarella (PPI)
Secretary of the prime minister : Franco Bassanini (DS)
Foreign Affairs: Lamberto Dini (RI)
Exchequer and Budget : Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
Finance : Vincenzo Visco (DS)
Industry : Pier Luigi Bersani (DS)
Justice : Oliviero Diliberto (PDCI)
Home Office : Rosa Russo Jervolino (PPI)
Defense : Carlo Scognamiglio (UDR)
Transport : Tiziano Treu (RI)
Public Works : Enrico Micheli (PPI)
Foreign Commerce : Piero Fassino (DS)
Constitutional Reforms : Giuliano Amato
Culture and Sport : Giovanna Melandri (DS)
Sanity : Rosy Bindi (PPI)
Environment : Edo Ronchi (Greens)
Public Services : Angelo Piazza (SDI)
Communications : Salvatore Cardinale (UDR)
Education : Luigi Berlinguer (DS)
Scientific Research and University : Ortensio Zecchino (PPI)
Labor e Southern Affairs : Antonio Bassolino (DS)
Equal Opportunities : Laura Balbo (Greens)
Social Solidarity : Livia Turco (DS)
Agriculture : Paolo De Castro (UDR)
Relations with the Parliament : Guido Folloni (UDR)
EU-Politics : Enrico Letta (PPI)
Regional Affairs : Katia Belillo (PDCI)
D'Alema with his European colleagues Schröder, Jospin and Lafontaine (right to left).
More articles on the same subject:
 |
