Berlusconi makes Alitalia his election issue

Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the Italian right, recently denounced the attempt by Air France-KLM to buy Alitalia. For Marie-Laure Cittanova, Berlusconi thus brings to light "the fractures of the departing government [headed by Romano Prodi]. ... This is forcing Walter Veltroni, the left candidate [for April 13 and 14th's legislative elections], into a difficult position. Rome's mayor had initially praised the government. Then he attempted to obscure his connections with the team that had so greatly disappointed. Berlusconi's offensive has again forced him to take a position of solidarity. ... What does 'il Cavaliere' hope to do with such a move ? He probably thinks that he'll profit from putting a lid on any move from the centre-left, especially if he can at the same time play to his supporters in the north. He risks, however, his credibility if he cannot bring about an alternative offer to that of the Franco-Dutch company."

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