Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Chronology of Italian Political Events, 2000

2001; Berghahn Books; Volume: 16; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3167/ip.2001.160101

2326-7259

Serenella Sferza,

Italian Fascism and Post-war Society

The Treasury minister, Giuliano Amato, announces, "Never, in the past twenty years, has Italy's deficit been this low."Italy falls under the 2 percent ratio between deficit and GDP as established by the Maastricht Treaty.The laws known as "single judge" become effective.Strongly advocated by the minister Oliviero Diliberto, this legislation was opposed by the magistrates.Politicians begin to criticize the organization of the Jubilee due to the difficulties met by tourists and pilgrims returning home after celebrating the year's end and the beginning of the Holy Year.European stock exchanges fall for the third consecutive day because of rumors interest rates will rise in the US.The government sets the date for regional elections: 16 May.The president of the Senate, Nicola Mancino, advocates a law that will give parties equal time on TV; it is the par condicio.After the laws on the "single judge," the decree on "fair trial" is also approved without opposition from the existing judges.Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema criticizes "social" referenda proposed by the Radicals on the ground that it "threatens to tear apart the social pact."The CISL Secretary, Sergio D'Antoni, announces that he is disappointed by the Prime Minister's action, stating that "the D'Alema II is politically weak."All the parties concerned by the issues subject to the referenda give interviews in which they come out for or against, especially insofar as the "social" questions are concerned: the Con-findustria and the Radical promoters of the referenda are for, the trade unions and most of the Center-Left against.Arturo Parisi, the leader of the Democrats, threatens to punish Antonio Di Pietro for his constant criticism of the party's leadership.Two days before the DS's Congress begins at the Turin Lingotto, Parisi suggests to Veltroni that their respective parties should dissolve "in a path toward unity."The Polo's leader, Silvio Berlusconi, strongly objects to the difficult agreement the center left's heterogeneous components are reaching on the launch of the par condicio law.Berlusconi refers to the law as "liberticidal."The Industry minister, Enrico Letta, meets with representatives of the oil industry in an attempt to contain rising gasoline prices due to increases in the price of oil.Veltroni, speaking at the DS' Congress, rejects Parisi's proposal, by arguing that the path the Center-Left should follow is that of a "federation of parties," rather than a single party.First critical interventions at the DS' Congress.Amidst much applause, Sergio Cofferati, the CGIL secretary, asks the Center-Left government to side openly against the "social" referenda; the mayor of Naples, Antonio Bassolino, leaves the Congress; the former secretary, Achille Occhetto, asks D'Alema to step aside.The Polo criticizes the "excessive overtones" used by the Congress against Berlusconi.D'Alema's speech arouses the Congress, fostering confidence in the government's action and the expectation they will prevail at the regional elections.Veltroni is confirmed as party secretary with nearly 80 percent of the delegates' votes.Bettino Craxi, the former PSI leader, dies in Hammamet, Tunisia.His daughter, Stefania, harshly criticizes the government; Berlusconi announces his deep grief; D'Alema declares a State funeral.Four of the people in charge of the humanitarian "Rainbow" mission the government organized to bring aid to Albania are arrested; the Polo calls for the resignation of the under-secretary to the Interior in charge of Civil Defense, Franco Barberi.