«The stop of the premier? What matters now is to separate careers»- Corriere.it

Enough of talking about “gossip and armchairs”, for Berlusconi’s political heir the priority is to make Italians understand that Forza Italia “is nobody’s rib” and will be “the architrave of the Italian political system”.

The new Christian Democracy, secretary Antonio Tajani?

“It is not a question of remaking the DC, but of aggregating and building a party with open doors, which plays the role that the Christian Democrats played in the first Republic”.

How was your first day as leader?

«I have had many messages, starting with Ursula von der Leyen. I feel a great responsibility. I spent Sunday in Tolfa explaining to young people the line, the values, the five challenges which are economic growth, young people and falling birth rates, wages, the South, Europe».

What about justice? Do you think that the clash with the robes, in the name of Berlusconi, will raise Forza Italia in the polls?

«Justice is a fundamental part of the reforms to make Italy more competitive. Civil justice that doesn’t work is worth 3 points of GDP. The criminal trial as it stands leads to the acquittal of 60% of those sentenced, something is not working. You need to have a fair trial, with a clear separation between the investigating magistrate and the judge”.

For the ANM “it is a danger to democracy”. Do you want prosecutors to answer to the government?

«No, look, it’s not something against magistrates. We want to raise the level of the judge who judges, we want to put him on a pedestal”.

At the National Council, Nordio was interrogated to send an inspection to the Florence Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is investigating the alleged relations between Berlusconi and the mafia. Do you sign it?

“I don’t know that it’s a party initiative.”

Before being unanimously elected, you gave your support to Nordio on the modification of the external competition. Are you sorry that the premier has stopped the idea?

«From a legal point of view Nordio is right, the reform would make the fight against the mafia more severe. But the theme is not in the program and there is no urgency. The priority is the separation of careers.

Does the second letter you received from Berlusconi’s sons, the confidential one, contain any information on FI’s debts?

«We didn’t talk about economic issues, the second letter is personal and concerns the political legacy. FI’s creditor was Berlusconi, the guarantees passed to the children with the inheritance. I have no news to give.”

Does Marta Fascina’s absence on Saturday mean that there won’t be a role for Berlusconi’s partner?

«I’m not interested in gossip, the family supports us and Marta Fascina is a deputy, she is part of the FI plan. She hasn’t argued with anyone. Her absence does not have a political meaning, but a human one. She’s in mourning, she didn’t feel like coming to the first event without him. We are not machines, at the 5-minute applause I was moved too».

Will the congress be held before the Europeans even if the area of ​​Ronzulli, Mulè and Cattaneo aimed to extend the times? And how will it behave with currents?

«My will is to do it before the Europeans. It will not be a division of seats, but a congress of content. There was a unanimous vote on Saturday, and if there is a contribution of ideas and proposals, I’ll be very happy, I’m not looking for yes men».

Does Forza Italia risk becoming an offshoot of FdI?

«We are nobody’s offshoot, our ambition is to be the permanent center of gravity of the political system, the home of all reformists and guarantors looking for a stable, credible, responsible point of reference. Forza Italia is the center of the centre-right, it can attract those who voted for Pd and M5S and those who take refuge in abstention”.

However, Rosato, Bonetti and Castaldo did not arrive.

«It is not the market for people, I have never mentioned a name and no one has ever said that there would be entrances to the National Council. There will be major entrances in the future. It is not a question of carrying out a shopping campaign and promising places, but of building an attractive project ».

Do you want to unite popular, liberal and conservative people in Europe to isolate Salvini?

«Salvini can join if he wants. He is not the problem, but Le Pen and Alternative für Deutschland».

Did the leader of the League want to steal the show by relaunching the fiscal peace? And is it aiming to wear Meloni down?

«I don’t interpret everything in terms of gossip and I don’t think Salvini wants to wear down the government to which he belongs. Looking at the contents, we have made many proposals on fiscal peace and if Salvini agrees, I am happy”.

Once the Berlusconi effect has subsided, do you see a Tajani effect?

«The poll that gives us 11% came out before my election. There must be a team effect, not a Tajani effect».

Is Palazzo Chigi “letting go” of Daniela Santanchè?

«I don’t know and I won’t go into the merits of legal cases that I don’t know about, I’m just saying that the notices of guarantee must be given to the interested parties and not to the newspapers».

Will you not open to opposition on the minimum wage?


“I want a rich salary, not a minimum wage, because I see it as a leveling down from an old socialist country. The liberal reforms that I have indicated serve to make the economy grow and to allow companies to raise workers’ wages in a structural way».

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