The tomb of late Italian Communist
Party (PCI) leader Enrico Berlinguer has been vandalised again
in Rome, centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein
said Monday.
"It's a cowardly and ignoble act," she said.
"But one which motivates us even more to carry forward his
memory, 40 years after his death".
Considered the PCI's most popular ever leader, Berlinguer (25
May 1922 - 11 June 1984) led the 'Eurocommunist' party from 1972
until his death during a tense period in Italy's history, which
was marked by the Years of Lead terror and social conflicts,
such as the Hot Autumn of 1969-1970, and he forged the 'Historic
Compromise' with the long dominant Christian Democrat Party
(DC).
Under Berlinguer, the PCI reached the height of its success,
winning significant victories in the country's regional and
local elections in 1975, and 34% of the vote in the 1976 Italian
general election, its highest share of the vote and number of
seats.
With these gains, he negotiated the Historic Compromise with the
DC, lending support to their government in exchange for
consultation on policy decisions, as well as social reforms.
Berlibguer lies in Rome's Prima Porta Cemetery.
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