Democratic Party (PD) leader and
ex-premier Matteo Renzi effectively announced his resignation
Monday by telling a PD meeting it was the end of his "cycle" at
the head of the centre-left group.
Renzi again called for a quick party congress before a
general election and said he hoped the PD could avert a split on
this - but former leader and minority chief Pier Luigi Bersani
rejected his call, saying Premier Paolo Gentiloni's government
should be allowed to serve until the end of the legislature's
natural term in February 2018.
Wishing his touted rivals in primaries luck, Renzi told a
specially widened session of the PD directorate "a cycle is
ending at the head of the PD", effectively announcing his
resignation.
"I took a PD that had 25% and in the one political
consultation we took it to 40.8%," he said, referring to the
2014 European elections.
Renzi said he did not want the party to split, while
suggesting he was being blackmailed over the date of a party
congress.
"I don't want splits. But if there has to be one, it should
be over ideas, without alibis, and not about the calendar," he
told a PD meeting.
"I have a high idea of the congress and an even higher one of
splits - let's talk about political positions and then we can
split.
"I'd never have contemplated a debate about the calendar -
either you have a congress before the election or there's a
split".
Renzi told the PD "I think it is good sense on the part of
those who are responsible for leading a community to accept the
invitation to hold the congress before the elections.
"I don't want splits and if I wanted them I'd like them on
the basis of a discussion; if there has to be a split, and I
hope not, that it should be without alibis, not with the
alibi of the calendar".
Renzi told the meeting that "we can no longer fool our
people, you can fool me but not our people".
He said the PD should hold a congress "in the full respect
for our statute, with the same rules as last time (in 2013). So
that there is no discussion starting tomorrow on the rules. Let
politics return".
Renzi told the PD "the vote and the congress are two separate
concepts and I add that I'm no longer premier, I've never been
interior minister, nor am I president of the Republic.
"I don't decide when to vote...there are positive elements to
voting earlier and also for voting later, it's a debate for
those with institutional responsibilities.
"But let it be clear to all that you don't hold a congress to
decide the day of the vote".
Renzi said he had had "enough" of "showdowns" within the
party.
"If you Google 'PD showdown' shocking data come out...basta,
let's all calm down" Renzi said.
"Let's avoid the personalisation of the referendum
aftermath", he said, referring to a December vote against his
flagship Constitutional reform, which spurred his resignation as
premier.
The PD leader said he would travel around scouring Italy for
talent that could bring fresh ideas to a congress.
He said "I prefer the open sea of the challenge to the swamp.
"Let's hold the congress and those who lose, the next day
should give a hand, don't run off with the ball, don't leave on
their own whoever wins the primaries."
Renzi said he wished luck to the rivals who may challenge him
for the leadership of the centre-left group, adding there should
be greater reciprocal respect.
"I wish good luck to those who run, from (another minority
leader, Roberto) Speranza, to (Tuscan Governor Enrico) Rossi and
(Puglia Governor Michele) Emiliano," he told the PD.
"If they win I'll be the first in line to support them.
"But I ask for more respect, not for me, but for our
members".
Renzi spoke after former leader Bersani said he was against
the idea of holding a new PD congress in the very near future.
When asked if he thought this call for a so-called
"lightning congress" was set to be Renzi's 'umpteenth' mistake,
Bersani replied "I fear yes".
After Renzi spoke, Bersani said Bersani said the PD should
"ensure" that the Gentiloni government runs its course until the
natural end of the legislative term in February 2018.
"Let's guarantee in front of Europe, the markets, the
Italians, the natural end," he said, saying "we command" and
"the first thing we must say is when we'll vote".
The minority leader said "we can't talk like the Sibyl, leave
the sword of Damocles (hanging) over the government, expecting
(Gentiloni) to resign in streaming..."
Bersani reiterated he was against leader Renzi's call for a
quick congress, saying it had to be prepared for properly in
specially organised "places of discussion".
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