The leftwing MDP and
Sì-Possibile groups said Wednesday that they will hold no
further talks with the ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD)
on forming an alliance before a general election early next
year.
"We said we are not willing to negotiate due to the
fundamental differences about people's lives," said MDP Senate
whip Maria Cecilia Guerra after a meeting with a PD delegation.
"In particular I refer to issues regarding labour, universal
healthcare, and not an election campaign based on fewer taxes
for everyone".
Sì-Possibile Lower House whip Giulio Marcon added: "the time
is up, there are no margins for any agreements".
The MDP is made up primarily of former PD members who are
hostile to PD leader and former premier Matteo Renzi.
Marcon backtracked later on Wednesday after saying that
Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso would be the leader of a new
leftwing party set to be launched next month.
"What I said about Grasso's role was just a wish," Marcon
said.
"I don't want to tug the jacket of the Senate Speaker, who
will make choices he considers opportune when he decides.
"It is obvious that he would be an excellent leader for the
new left that we are building thanks to his institutional
prestige and the role he has".
Grasso recently quit the PD in protest at how a new election
law was pushed through parliament.
He said the PD was "finished", spurring PD ire.
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