MNI INTERVIEW: Italy Mainstream Parties Must Unite - Minister

--Finocchiaro: Campaigns Must Underline Italy's Position in Europe, Euro

By Silvia Marchetti

     ROME (MNI) - Italy's mainstream parties must put aside divisions and team

up in a governing coalition able to guarantee political and economic stability,

a top government legislator has told Market News in an exclusive interview.

     Anna Finocchiaro, Minister for Parliament Relations, appealed to the

parties to join forces to prevent a victory for populist parties at the upcoming

March elections, as the campaign, in her view, must not be a race of one party

against all others.

     "It's natural that each coalition aims to win the most possible votes, but

we are facing the risk that groups such as the Lega party and the 5 Star

Movement, which I see as a danger to our political and institutional system,

could ally to form a ruling majority," she warned.

     Finocchiaro urged all political groups, no matter their affiliations, to

work together to prevent such "anti-democratic pushes", as the future of Italy

is at stake.

     --GERMAN LESSON

     The recent lessons from Germany, where two opposing parties, the Christian

Democrats and the Social Democrats, reached a preliminary agreement to form a

new government for the good of their country, can be looked upon as a model,

Finocchiaro said.

     Even if it is too soon to know whether a 'Grand Coalition' between the

centre-left and centre-right could be replicated in Italy, Finocchiaro

acknowledged that "looking at current polls, no potential scenario (of

alliances) can be discounted at the moment".

     Despite stressing that her Democrat party stood as the strongest barrier

against a populist surge, the minister hopes "it will not be the only force,

battling alone" against the anti-establishment groups, but that there will be

other parties willing to put aside differences to protect Italy's institutions

and international relations".

     Italy's new voting system makes it very difficult for any one party alone

to win the required level of votes, amounting to 40%, needed to govern in a

mono-coloured administration.

     --SHIFTING BATTLE LINES

     Traditional electoral battle lines have changed, according to Finocchiaro.

The fight, in her view, is no longer between left and right, but between

democracy and chaos and the common enemy to defeat are Lega and the 5 Star

Movement.

     Finocchiaro said it is important to act swiftly, and not only the day after

the ballot boxes deliver an uncertain outcome. Even during the campaign,

although on opposite sides, as many parties as possible must send out the

message of "continuity" by underlining existing pro-growth reforms, Italy's

permanent position in Europe and avoiding mixed messages on the euro.

     "Italy has done so much lately to curb a decades-long high public debt and

support the economic recovery after a triple-dip recession with measures that

are bearing fruit now. It can't be all wiped away. It's crucial to continue

along this path in order to ensure stability in the long-run," she said.

     As concerns mount in Europe over Italy's electoral outcome, Finocchiaro

argued that the country's hard-won credibility on the European stage must be

preserved, reassuring EU partners and international investors, not just domestic

voters.

     Populist parties have been sending mixed messages lately on Italy's

position in the eurozone, despite a softening of their more anti-European

stances as they look to lure swing voters.

     "Whoever doubts Italy's international position, its belief in the euro and

the respect of agreed, but revisable, fiscal rules, cannot be relied on and does

not care about the future of this country," said Finocchiaro.

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

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