Ex-premier Matteo Renzi said Monday
that Emmanuel Macron's bid to become French president concerned
Italy too.
"A Macron victory in the French run-off could give a lot of
strength to those who want to change Europe," Renzi, who is
running to be re-elected leader of the centre-left Democratic
Party (PD), said on Facebook.
"Those who love the European ideal know that populism is the
opponent.
"But they also know that Europe is too big be left alone to
the technocrats.
"Bravo Macron: the challenge starts now. A challenge that
regards Italy too. Forward, together".
Other members of Premier Paolo Gentiloni's PD expressed
satisfaction that Macron came top too.
"There is good news on two fronts from France," said Justice
Minister Andrea Orlando, who is challenging Renzi for leadership
of the PD.
"In the first place, Le Pen did not break through and a
para-Fascist party that would have thrown the process of
European integration into crisis did not break though with her.
"Secondly, we have the success of a candidate who is
powerfully pro Europe".
Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina voiced satisfaction
too.
"Macron's result is very important," he said. "I think it's a
fundamental signal for all European progressive, reformist
democrats".
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