Premier Matteo Renzi told the
executive body of his centre-left Democratic Party (PD) on
Monday that the party is a bulwark against populism and racism
in Italy.
The country would be prone to "xenophobia, populism and
demagoguery" if it were not for the ruling PD, a "community of
souls" that respects democracy, the premier and PD leader said.
"This community is the only hope for Italy to emerge from the
quagmire, and this imposes a greater responsibility on us".
A bloc formed mainly by Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment
5-Star Movement (M5S) that has been "paralysing parliament"
because it "says no to everyone" is now "constantly crumbling",
the reformist premier added.
The latest expulsion of four militants from the M5S is
"embarrassing", because they were not espousing "a different
line but merely questioning the party's leadership structure,"
Renzi went on.
The PD differs because it allows for internal debate with
dissenters, he explained.
At the same time, the party must not invite anarchy into
its ranks.
"A party with 41% (of the popular vote) must listen to
those who think differently, but we cannot become...an
anarchists and philosophers' club," he said.
MPs should vote their conscience on Constitutional reforms
as well as ethical issues, but must toe the party line in
confidence votes.
"We will never expel those who engage in serious battles on
reforms, but we must agree on the rules for confidence votes,"
Renzi said.
The party stands for "creating equal opportunities for
all," he went on.
Being on the left of the political spectrum means creating
"equal opportunities" and "fulfilling talents, without leaving
anyone behind".
Going on to talk about key reforms still ahead, the premier
said electoral reform should favor a winner's bonus for party
lists rather than coalitions.
"The PD must have the electoral tools" to prevail and in
this sense "better a bonus for lists than one for coalitions".
Italy's proposed new electoral law is "historic" and it is
"critical" that it be approved to ensure clear winners able to
govern.
Current voting laws make that impossible, causing
legislative gridlock, Renzi told PD members.
"Having an electoral law that delivers a winner -
hopefully, that will be us - will only be possible" under the
new law, which has been nicknamed the Italicum.
The proposed reform has been controversial because it was
hammered out between Renzi and former premier Silvio Berlusconi
of the centre-right Forza Italia (FI).
Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, who is from the New
Center Right (NCD) party, said he supports the premier's
suggestion.
"We are absolutely in favor," Alfano said.
"A bonus for the number one party would be more
representative of the country" than fragmented, ill-conceived
coalitions, the minister said.
The Italicum, said Renzi, aims to "reduce the veto power of
small parties, which has been one of the brakes holding Italy
back".
The premier also commented on his Jobs Act labour reform
bill, urging a dissenting minority to get in line with the party
by year's end because funding for the reform will kick in under
the government's 2015 budget as of early next year.
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