Antonio Tajani has been chosen to lead the former premier’s party
The conservative Forza Italia party began its transition this Saturday (15) after the death of its president and founder Silvio Berlusconi with the election of the Italian deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, as national secretary.
The election took place during the center-right party’s national council in Rome. This is the first time FI members have met since Berlusconi’s death on June 12.
The former president of the European Parliament was unanimously elected and will occupy the position “pro tempore” until the next party congress, still without a definite date.
The vote, which took place with raised hands, approved the document which “entrusts Antonio Tajani and the collegiate executive bodies with the task of guiding the movement to the national congress with a united spirit, in continuity with the ideas and principles of our founder”.
Even the group leader of FI in the Senate, Licia Ronzulli, said that Tajani proposed to change the statute of the party so that the post of president, which was held by Berlusconi, no longer exists. “For us there is only one president,” said Ronzulli, confirming the change.
With the novelty proposed by Tajani and in fact approved, from now on the head of the party will be called “national secretary” and no longer president. The latter mandate remains reserved for Berlusconi, who founded Forza Italia and traces of which remain in the statute.
After the vote at the Parco dei Principi hotel, Tajani gave his first speech as national secretary of Forza Italia and paid tribute, with more than a minute of silence and applause, to the former prime minister who died after a battle against leukemia chronic.
“It is not easy to lead a political movement that has had Silvio Berlusconi as its leader for almost 30 years. I can only guarantee my commitment, determination, will to turn all your dreams into reality. For this I will need all of you, all our ruling class, elected officials, sympathizers, militants,” he said.
The Italian chancellor also read a letter signed by Berlusconi’s children, in which they thanked him for “the support and closeness they have always given to our dear father” and “for everything they will do from now on to continue the ideals of freedom, progress and democracy that have always characterized his thought and action”.
“A big hug to all with best wishes for your work”, reads the message.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs since October 2022, in the government of Giorgia Meloni, Tajani has already served as President of the European Parliament (2017-2019) and Deputy Mandate of the European Commission (2008-2014).
Source: Terra
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