Quirinale, Silvio Berlusconi renounces to run
The Forza Italia leader first took time, then decided to take the final step back. The center-right is looking for a new strategy in view of the vote
Silvio Berlusconi (Ansa)
First he took time, then Silvio Berlusconi chose to give up running for the Quirinale, "in the name of seeking the unity of the country".
"I have not yet decided whether to give my willingness to run for the election as President of the Republic," said the Knight in an online meeting with the Forza Italia ministers, after postponing the summit convened with the center-right allies.
For their part, the blue ministers had reiterated: "Whatever choice you make, we will support it until the end".
In the blue meeting, Mariastella Gelmini, however, would have expressed some concern about the numbers, while Mara Carfagna would have recalled that the current responses would be less exciting than those reported before Christmas, however no one would have asked the Knight to examine a possible "step sideways".
Just a "check" on the real numbers, therefore on the potential votes to be obtained during the voting in the Chamber (starting on Monday) would have been decisive. And so came the news of the final step, not sideways, but backwards by the former premier.
For Forza Italia it is also important that Mario Draghi remains at the helm of the government, as, as stated by Berlusconi himself, in a message read by Licia Ronzulli, “he is doing an excellent job at Palazzo Chigi”.
For their part, Matteo Salvini, Giorgia Meloni and the other center-right leaders kicked off the summit without the Forza Italia leader. At this point to look for a new strategy and a new name to bet on.
"Berlusconi renders a great service to Italy and to the center-right, which will now have the honor and responsibility to advance his proposals without vetoes from the left", the comment of Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, on the withdrawal of the Cav to compete for the Colle.
Fratelli d'Italia, on the other hand, criticizes the hope made by Berlusconi, in announcing the step backwards, on a possible continuation of Mario Draghi's assignment to Chigi. As is well known, in fact, the party led by Giorgia Meloni, in opposition to the current executive, sees in the vote for the Colle a possible key passage for the early end of the legislature and for a return to the vote.
(Unioneonline / lf)
