PD a bulwark against demagoguery - Renzi

(ANSA) - Rome, October 20 - Premier Matteo Renzi told the executive body of his centre-left Democratic Party (PD) on Monday that the party is a bulwark against populism and racism in Italy.
    The country would be prone to "xenophobia, populism and demagoguery" if it were not for the ruling PD, a "community of souls" that respects democracy, the premier and PD leader said.
    "This community is the only hope for Italy to emerge from the quagmire, and this imposes a greater responsibility on us".
    A bloc formed mainly by Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) that has been "paralysing parliament" because it "says no to everyone" is now "constantly crumbling", the reformist premier added.
    The latest expulsion of four militants from the M5S is "embarrassing", because they were not espousing "a different line but merely questioning the party's leadership structure," Renzi went on. The PD differs because it allows for internal debate with dissenters, he explained.
    At the same time, the party must not invite anarchy into its ranks. "A party with 41% (of the popular vote) must listen to those who think differently, but we cannot become...an anarchists and philosophers' club," he said.
    MPs should vote their conscience on Constitutional reforms as well as ethical issues, but must toe the party line in confidence votes. "We will never expel those who engage in serious battles on reforms, but we must agree on the rules for confidence votes," Renzi said.
    The party stands for "creating equal opportunities for all," he went on. Being on the left of the political spectrum means creating "equal opportunities" and "fulfilling talents, without leaving anyone behind".
    Going on to talk about key reforms still ahead, the premier said electoral reform should favor a winner's bonus for party lists rather than coalitions. "The PD must have the electoral tools" to prevail and in this sense "better a bonus for lists than one for coalitions". Italy's proposed new electoral law is "historic" and it is "critical" that it be approved to ensure clear winners able to govern. Current voting laws make that impossible, causing legislative gridlock, Renzi told PD members. "Having an electoral law that delivers a winner - hopefully, that will be us - will only be possible" under the new law, which has been nicknamed the Italicum.
    The proposed reform has been controversial because it was hammered out between Renzi and former premier Silvio Berlusconi of the centre-right Forza Italia (FI).
    Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, who is from the New Center Right (NCD) party, said he supports the premier's suggestion.
    "We are absolutely in favor," Alfano said.
    "A bonus for the number one party would be more representative of the country" than fragmented, ill-conceived coalitions, the minister said.
    The Italicum, said Renzi, aims to "reduce the veto power of small parties, which has been one of the brakes holding Italy back".
    The premier also commented on his Jobs Act labour reform bill, urging a dissenting minority to get in line with the party by year's end because funding for the reform will kick in under the government's 2015 budget as of early next year.