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Caretaker leader of the Democratic Party (PD) Enrico Letta, 46, was given a mandate from President Giorgio Napolitano on April 24 to form a government and immediately started talks with the centrist Civic Choice (Scelta civica) and Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PDL) party.
Negotiations have already hit stumbling blocks. The PDL wants its senior figures in key departments, such as the interior and education ministries, while the PD prefers non-party figures.
The crucial economic ministry should be headed by Bank of Italy chairman Fabrizio Saccomanni.
Another obstacle is Berlusconi’s resolve to cancel the highly unpopular housing tax, set up by outgoing PM Mario Monti, and refund what has been paid so far, a move that the PD say would precipitate another financial emergency. Letta is expected to face a confidence vote on Monday.
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