On the current developments in Italy

The Party of the European Left is following the government crisis in Italy with great attention. We deeply share the concerns of those parts of the Italian people and trade unions fed up with the unsocial course of the former Berlusconi government, that unilaterally followed the foreign policies of the Bush administration. Therefore we express our solidarity with the efforts of the Left and the movements to the effect that the Prodi government goes on working.

We think that the hopes of the Italian people and of the movements aroused by the left coalition’s victory and the establishment of the Prodi government last year must not be disappointed. We are fully aware of the split in Italian society which found its expression in the very narrow result of the last elections. But as a matter of fact the social and anti-war movements are still supporting the actions of this government as an alternative to those of the previous Berlusconi cabinet. They expect it being able to stop unilateralism and war policies, as stated in a declaration on the very day the Prodi government collapsed.

Taking into consideration the various and sometimes difficult experience of the Left in government, the EL expresses its hope that this centre-left coalition in Italy gets the chance to continue the course of democracy, social justice and peace its electorate has voted for.

Brussels, 23.02.2007

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