Premier Matteo Renzi appealed to
the Italian people not to vote for "clowns" in Sunday's European
elections.
The broadside by the head of the centre-left Democratic
Party (PD) was aimed at comedian-turned-politician Beppe Grillo
and his anti-estasblishment 5-Star Movement (M5S).
The PD is top in most polls, but Grillo is confident his
M5S, who are second in the surveys after capturing a stunning
25% of the vote in last year's general election, can come first
with a late surge.
"We don't need shows and clownery in the European
parliament, we don't need to climb on the roof," Renzi said on
Italian radio referring to a recent M5S protest on the roof of
the Italian Lower House.
"We need seriousness, people who are well prepared and
further Italy's interests".
Renzi also blasted the language used in the campaign by
Grillo, who, among other things, suggested that the premier will
suffer a political "lupara bianca" - a term used to refer to a
mafia hit that leaves no trace of evidence - after the European
elections.
"Italy deserves more than insults and shouting and cries of
up yours," said Renzi, who has embarked on an ambitious
programme of institutional and economic reforms since unseating
his PD colleague Enrico Letta in February to become Italy's
youngest premier at 39.
"Shouting gives you a good feeling for five minutes but
then you go back to everyday life".
Renzi also tried to stress that the PD represents the real
face of change, which he says will not be achieved via the
uncompromising positions of the M5S, whose stated aim is to
destroy the current party system.
"I want to change the country with great determination,
humility and serenity," the premier said.
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