| Author (Person) | Dinmore, Guy |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Financial Times |
| Series Details | 17.03.13 |
| Publication Date | 17/03/2013 |
| Content Type | News |
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Article reported that horse-trading had started in earnest in the week beginning 17 March 2013 as Italy’s politicians entered a crucial week in determining whether a government can emerge from the February 2013 inconclusive elections to avoid an early return to the polls. President Napolitano was to begin formal consultations on the 20 March 2013 with representatives of all parties before deciding who should be given the mandate to form a government. His stated priority was to avoid a return to the polls that some opinion polls indicate would return an even stronger rejection by voters of the mix of austerity and reforms implemented under Mario Monti’s current technocratic government. Efforts to break the political deadlock took a hesitant step forward on the 22 March 2013 with President Napolitano asked Pier Luigi Bersani, leader of the centre-left Democrats, to see if he had sufficient support in parliament to form a new government. This receieved a setback on the 26 March 2013 when the centre-left Democrats failed to persuade their centre-right rivals to support a minority administration. Mr Bersani met parliamentary leaders of the Five Star Movement on the 27 March 2013, whose founder, Beppe Grillo, had repeatedly ruled out backing a Democrat government. Italy’s month-long search for a viable government seemed set to return to square one by the 28 March 2013, with Pierluigi Bersani likely to abandon his attempt to form a minority administration after being rebuffed by a fragmented parliament. If a coalition government could not be formed, fresh elections could be held in June 2013. |
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| Countries / Regions | Italy |
