Industry Minister Carlo Calenda
said Thursday that a decree approved by Premier Paolo
Gentiloni's outgoing cabinet extends the deadline for the sale
of Alitalia "until the end of October".
He added that the deadline for the return of a
900-million-euro bridge loan the government granted to airline
to keep it in business after it went into extraordinary
administration last year had been put back until December 15.
He said it was necessary for a new government to take power,
who so far has not happened following last month's inconclusive
general election, for the sale procedure to move forward.
"It is clear that it is necessary to enter into a closer
period of negotiation that requires a government that can
express its position," Calenda said.
"It would take six months to go from the time of a sale
agreement to the transfer of assets, with the European antitrust
(approval) and due diligence. The investors need the chance to
dialogue with the new government".
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