Renzi Rebels Are Said to Be Open to Deal With Italian Populists
(Bloomberg) -- A growing rebellion against ex-premier Matteo Renzi inside the ruling Democratic Party could offer a way out of the political deadlock in Italy, according to a senior official.
Renzi has vowed he would “never govern with extremists” after leading his party to its worst-ever election result on Sunday. His ouster could pave the way for the party to support some form of grand coalition or even a government led by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, the party official said, asking not to be named discussing internal divisions.
Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, a longtime Renzi ally, and several senior party figures have been stung by Renzi's criticism of the government and disagree with his determination to take the party into opposition, according to the official.
On Tuesday, Gentiloni welcomed a potential challenger to Renzi into the party.
Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda said he'll join the PD “to work to lift the party up again.” Within minutes, Gentiloni tweeted, “Thanks Carlo!” Other ministers added their support.
The party leadership will meet on March 12 and could put Renzi under pressure. Both Gentiloni and fellow ministers would be more ready than Renzi to help President Sergio Mattarella in his search for a premier with a parliamentary majority.
The PD could back a broad coalition, possibly without formally joining, or help Five Star and the anti-migrant League to form a government, the official said -- though both Five Star and the League have ruled out working together.
Renzi told reporters Monday he would quit but only after a government had been formed. He went on to complain that Gentiloni's administration was “soulless” and “too technical,” according Corriere della Sera. Luigi Zanda, head of PD senators, denounced Renzi's long goodbye as a maneuver that ran counter to the party's interests.
To contact the reporter on this story: John Follain in Rome at jfollain2@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alan Crawford at acrawford6@bloomberg.net, Ben Sills, Kevin Costelloe
©2018 Bloomberg L.P.
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