MNI INTERVIEW: Italy Centre-Right, 5SM Deal Poss On Key Points

--Deal Can Be Reached On Lower Taxes, Immigration, Safety: Fratteli Deputy 

--Total Compromise Not "Realistic", Need To Exit Stalemate: Fidanza

By Silvia Marchetti

     ROME (MNI) - Italy's centre-right coalition could ally with the 5 Stars

Movement only if there is an agreement on just a few key program points, a

senior Fratelli d'Italia official told MNI in an exclusive interview.

     Carlo Fidanza, founder and newly-elected deputy of FdI, a centre-right

coalition member, said that there could be an opening to a deal "if 5 Star

agreed to align on crucial issues".

     "For us, there are 10 key program points, but we are realistic. If we reach

a compromise on at least 6 of these, we can join forces with all parties,

including 5 Star," said Fidanza.

     The three main points are immigration, safety and lower taxes, on which

there could be alignment with the 5 Star program. Less fiscal austerity, the

revision of all European treaties and greater leeway in state spending if needed

to support the ongoing recovery also unite both sides.

     "It is obvious that having secured 37% of votes, our coalition is a winner

together with 5 Star, who got 32%. We are both the two key players. Therefore

our coalition is bound to be one of the pillars of any future government, open

to alliances as long as such alliances are framed within our agenda and not on

mere government appointments or roles," argued Fidanza.

     --MUST BE COMPROMISE

     He acknowledged that it would be impossible to have any party, especially 5

Star, align on a 100% basis to the centre-right's program, but that a compromise

was feasible.

     A possible convergence on key objectives with the 5 Star might also be the

only way to safeguard the future of the centre-right coalition and exit the

political stalemate that has engulfed Italy since the Mar 4 vote.

     Of the centre-right coalition parties, Lega got the most votes -- around

18% -- and is the largest group in the centre-right coalition which also

includes former premier Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia group.

     Lega leader Matteo Salvini now leads the centre-right alliance, but Fidanza

downplayed the risk that Lega could pull out and team up alone with 5 Star.

     "Our three parties will abide to our coalition agreement, together we are

stronger. Lega alone, without the rest of us, would be weakened in a purely

populist government whereas the entire centre-right would be stronger than 5

Star: 37% vs 32%. We'd have the greatest bargaining power in a future cabinet,"

said Fidanza.

     --FORZA READY TO TALK

     Several Forza Italia deputies reached by MNI declined to comment on a

possible 5 Star alliance but stressed that "dialogue was open with all political

forces".

     However, sources close to Forza said that perhaps, among 5SM, there could

be members willing to split and join forces with the centre-right coalition if

5SM refused to reach a manifesto compromise.

     Lega has never officially ruled out a potential agreement with 5SM, nor

openly criticised it during the electoral campaign.

     Several Lega officials repeatedly told MNI that the "5 Star should not be

demonised, but respected given the enormous support they have across the

country".

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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