Word: marini
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...poll triumph. Little wonder Sarkozy-backers are feeling catty. Culture Minister Christine Albanel sought to explain away Chirac's rising poll numbers and Sarkozy's dropping appeal by saying that the former president "was always very likeable, and today is rather a grandfather figure for everyone". Conservative senator Philippe Marini, meanwhile, noted that "people are always looking back to paradise lost, even if it never was paradise." Hissss...
...Following yet another government crisis - and Senate President Franco Marini's failed, five-day attempt to establish a temporary ruling coalition to usher in much-needed electoral reform - the Italian Parliament is expected to be dissolved on Wednesday, and national elections scheduled in April. Though his allies have insisted for the past two years that it's time for new leadership on the Italian center-right, Berlusconi will again be its candidate, for the fifth time in 14 years (with two wins, two losses under his belt). Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, who once served as Prodi...
...That was nothing compared to the task that faces Marini now: to find a working majority for a transitional government. On Wednesday Italian President Giorgio Napolitano asked Marini to attempt to form a government with a limited mandate to enact much needed electoral reform. To fulfil that charge and become interim prime minister, the 74-year-old centrist has had to beg opposition members to join him in a new, temporary working majority. They don't appear to be so disposed, and by Friday afternoon, all signs pointed to failure...
...center-left political insider in Rome told TIME that he now predicts that Italians will return to the polls in April. Refounded Communist leader Fausto Bertinotti, who had worked hand-in-hand with Marini as Lower House Speaker these past two years, told reporters Friday that he too expects early elections. Even a close Marini ally, centrist Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli said he is losing hope. "Arriving at a (positive) result is very difficult," he said. "Obviously we'd like it, but it's a very, very tight passage...
...Marini is considered well-liked and well-connected in certain quarters of the center-right. He also has several decades of high-stakes union experience to tap into during negotiations. Through the weekend, private consultations will continue with leaders of parties and other interested power players, including industrialists and union chiefs, hoping to convince enough members to join in a majority to rewrite the electoral law (with a vote to follow several months later). "There is still a small margin for success," the would-be Prime Minister announced. "I see it. And for this we must see it through...