Democratic Party (PD) leader and
ex-premier Matteo Renzi said Tuesday he would stand for the same
seat as three-time ex-premier and media magnate Silvio
Berlusconi if the European Court of Human Rights restores the
centre-right leader's eligibility for office.
The ECHR is hearing Berlusconi's plea against an office ban
on Wednesday but is expected to take 6-9 months to reach its
verdict.
The PD will be the "centre of gravity" for the next
legislature after elections in March or May, Renzi said.
He said a new electoral law gave the PD a "fundamental role"
in the election process, because of the combination of
two-thirds proportional representation and one-third
first-past-the-post.
Renzi said he was ready to repair the fragments of the
Italian Left after the MDP split from the PD earlier this year
but would refuse the MDP's demand he restore Article 18 of the
1970 Workers' Statute offering cast-iron protections against
unfair job dismissals.
He said he was "not optimistic" about the prospects of
reuniting the Left, but added "we have time" before a general
election early next year.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
