Pier Luigi Bersani, Nichi Vendola and Mario Monti are the three political leaders who according to forecasts and polls could find themselves in the same government leading Italy after the elections. The Democratic Party (Centre-left) of Bersani and the left party SEL (Sinistra Ecologia e Libertà) of Vendola will present themselves together at the elections. This coalition should get, according to the projections, a majority in the Camera but in the Senate, based on the majority system region by region, it is probable that they will need the support of an extra force.

It is here that Lista Monti enters the game. A coalition led by the current Prime Minister, where different soul mates live together: the former member of Democrazia Cristiana Pier Ferdinando Casini, the former leader of the post Fascists Gianfranco Fini and a number of civil dignitaries outside the political sphere. Recently there have been meetings between Monti and Bersani with the view of some kind of post-election co-operation. Bersani, despite his alliance with Vendola's party, that is further to the left than the PD, keeps open channels of communication with Monti, who politically sits more to the centre.
Bersani and Monti might co-operate. It won't after all be the first time. The Democratic Party was previously part of a large coalition made up of Berlusconi's Popolo della Libertà and UDC (Centre) of Pier Ferdinando Casini, which from November 2011 to December 2012 supported the government of the ex-European commissioner. The left-centre did give its support to Monti but not without problems: in terms of reform procedures it wasn't all plain sailing. The PM received considerable criticism from the left wing of the Democratic Party, namely from Stefano Fassina who was responsible for the economy (ironic in that Fassina was formerly a student of Bocconi University when Monti was Rector) and CGIL, a left wing trade union aligned to PD.

Monti (effectively a politician only since Christmas) with ambitions to attract reformers both from right and left centre needs to get as big a consensus as possible. On the right he openly attacked Berlusconi, referring to him as the Pied Piper. On the left his target of criticism is directed to Fassina and CGIL, who were quick to criticise him when in power, both opposed to his labour reform initiatives.
During the last few days however the climate has changed and positions have become a little more relaxed: Fassina said that he is sure that PD will be able to work with Monti after the elections. The leader of the CGIL, Susanna Camusso, clarified that current difficulties within Italy are not Monti's fault. Vendola on the other hand immediately distanced himself from Monti's agenda: proposing himself as a defender of the socially weak and strongly criticized the EU position. The gap grew even further when it came to ethical issues such as gay marriage, where Vendola's position (a gay person himself) conflicts heavily with Monti, who personally is much close to Catholic area.

On the other hand Bersani and Monti's view of the economy, which are the ones that matter to financial markets, have got a lot in common. The fact is that Bersani will have some job on his hands if he is to get Vendola and Monti to live under the same roof at Palazzo Chigi.
(Traduzione di James Tierney)

©RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA