Premier Paolo Gentiloni on
Wednesday ruled out the possibility that the State could retake
control of Alitalia after workers this week rejected a plan
designed to turn around the troubled airline.
The former flag-carrier is set to be put in administration
under government-appointed commissioners after the agreement
management reached with unions featuring redundancies and pay
cuts was voted down by staff.
"I said it before and I say it now too - the conditions do
not exist to nationalize Alitalia," Gentiloni said after
visiting the Rummo pasta plant in the southern city of
Benevento.
"Nevertheless, the government feels committed to defending
workers, users, taxpayers and citizens so that the company's
assets and resources are not wasted.
"We'll work, although the outcome of the worker vote makes
the challenge even more difficult".
Gentiloni said he was disappointed Alitalia workers had
rejected the plan and admitted he was worried about the
company's future.
"I cannot silence the concern about what is happening to
Alitalia," he said.
"It is necessary to be on the market to compete. I am
disappointed that the opportunity of the agreement between the
company and the unions was not accepted".
Labour Minister Giuliano Poletti said the "commissioners will
verify the future prospects" and the possibility that new
investors could take over the loss-making airline.
Industry Minister Carlo Calenda said that Alitalia is set to
get a bridge loan of up to 400 million euros to keep it alive in
the coming months.
"The new commissioner must ensure the company's continuity
and then find a buyer for Alitalia who knows how to manage it,"
Calenda said.
"The only thing will be a bridge loan from the State of
around 300, 400 million euros to ensure six months of
administration".
When asked about Lufthansa's reported interest in Alitalia,
Calenda said "I hope so... it would be interesting to explore
it".
A European Commission spokesperson said Wednesday that the EU
executive was in "constructive contact with Italy" regarding
Alitalia.
The spokesperson said that the Commission "is always ready to
discuss with the member States plans that are in line with EU
rules".
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