Letta says won't contest PD leadership at congress

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 26 - Former premier and centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader Enrico Letta said Monday he would not contest the party leadership in the PD's next congress that will assess a disappointing general election result.
    Letta said that, despite only getting 19% of the vote compared to 22% in the pre-election opinion polls, "we will wage a strong and intransigent opposition" to the victorious centre right coalition led by Italy's probable first woman premier, Giorgia Meloni of the Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, who would be Italy's most rightwing leader since WWII.
    Letta said it was a "sad" day with the right in power.
    "Italian men and women have chosen, a clear and marked choice, the country will have a rightwing government.
    "Today is a sad day for Italy and Europe". (ANSA).