Calenda says list won't be 'hodge-podge'

(ANSA) - Rome, January 21 - Former centre-left opposition Democratic Party (PD) industry minister Carlo Calenda said Monday his new pro-EU and anti-populist list for the May 23-26 European elections would not be a "hodge-podge" of forces ranging from the leftwing Free and Equal (LeU) party to Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forxa Italia (FI) party.
    "I don't think LeU and Forza Italia should join," he said.
    Calenda, a PD heavyweight, on Friday launched the "manifesto for the constitution of a single list of pro-EU political and civic forces at the upcoming European elections".
    Another PD heavyweight, former premier Paolo Gentiloni, said he would join, calling it "the right path to stop national-populism".
    "Italy and Europe are stronger than those who want them to be weak," Calenda said.
    Also signing up were former PD caretaker leader Maurizio Martina, an ex-farm minister, and Lazio Governor Nicola Zingaretti, favourite to be next PD leader.