Rutelli's Italian vision

Rutelli: Looking for international role

Francesco Rutelli, of centre-left coalition Olive three, talks to CNN Rome Bureau Chief Alessio Vinci

Q : What will change in Europe if Berlusconi or Rutelli wins?

A : If Rutelli wins Italy will continue and improve the path towards change, staying in Europe, improving the figures of our budget, improving the credibility of our foreign policy and improving jobs in the south and competitiveness in our economy. There is no alternative because Berlusconi will not win.

Q : The left has governed for the last five years, and yet you are trailing behind in opinion polls. Why do you think the people are not ready to give you a mandate to govern again?

A : We are a coalition of parties, we were too much divided, too much quarreling inside our coalition but that is over. Since October we have worked together … to improve our cohesion. We reached some important goal in terms of fighting crime and insecurity on what we call federalism, that is decentralisation.

Q : Some of your critics say you don't have enough experience in national or international politics. How do you respond to that?

A : I think you have to be respectful with criticism. I don't like politicians when they say: "you are wrong." You, the international press, you are wrong. You are saying, for instance Mr. Berlusconi dislikes criticism and thinks there is always some behind the scenes conspiracy. I am respectful and I think my job is to show that I am able and will be able to rule this important country. Italy is an important country for Europe and for the world.

Q : Who will be your foreign minister?

A : As you know, according to the Italian constitution, it is the head of state signing the names of ministers. So, of course, I have my own idea and I have my name and that will be a very good name also for the international community but he, Mr. Ciampi, has to sign and I don't want to be unfair.

Q : Will he be politician?

A : He will be a politician. I am also going to bring into my government some very important technical personalities and many women. -- the largest number of women ever in an Italian government. I am confident that women are able to govern.

Q : Many observers fail to see the difference between your political programme and that of your opponent Silvio Berlusconi. Do you agree the two programmes are similar?

A : No. I think that of course if you say the country needs more security against crime, everybody agrees. If you say you need more infrastructure, more modernisation in the economy, some more liberalisation and privatisation, of course. But the solutions are very different. I say that we are the country of the many against the country of the few and the privileged. My opponent is very clever in one field: his own interest. I think all my life was devoted to public interest and I think that what I can do is say to my people we won't give tax reductions for high income families. The right wing is going to give 80 percent to the 20 percent who are the richest. And so on, for public health, services, for schools, for education and training, the differences are big and very important. We are the country of the many, they are the country of the privileged and the few.

Q : What kind of political campaign has this been?

A : Rather surprising. We wrote, discussed and approved a serious programme on economy, taxation, social affairs, international policy, environment and so on. They didn't. It's incredible. Why didn't they sign an agreement? Because they are all together so many different divergent forces: Mr. Bossi, it's impossible to sign an agreement with Mr. Bossi, the Northern League, they want to divide my country. So there is only one boss with money, money, money, propaganda, propaganda, propaganda. I don't make promises, the right makes over promises everywhere: more pensions for all, less taxation for all, more public spending for all, less public spending for all. It is incredible but they tried to create an impression, spending so much money for propaganda, public ads, and private ads all over the country. But they were not able to sign and to show to the public a programme for the future of my country. It's incredible and it shows the weakness. My opponent refused a face-to-face TV debate. He is running away everywhere. They are arrogant. I think they will pay a price for that.

Q : There has been much talk about the possible conflict of interest Mr. Berlusconi would have if he wins the elections. He says he will solve it by appointing a panel of experts, or by setting up a blind trust. Why don't you believe him?

A : Because his personal activity was always based on political links with political power trying to preserve his personal interest. Mr. Berlusconi had an incredible growth of wealth during our government. I helped him when I was mayor of Rome because I believe in the market, I believe in competition. I want to help anybody who is able to create jobs. So the difference is that he now owns insurances, TV companies, cinemas, a football club, and building companies, banking system, the Internet and so on. His strength is linked to this conflict of interest.

Q : Berlusconi says that as prime minister he will not have much powers, that there will be plenty of people to check on him -- the parliament, the president etc.

A : When he was prime minister he was a failure. He was one of the worst governments ever in my country. He passed a bill allowing his company to save 243 billion liras. So, don't worry, it won't happen again because they will not win the elections. I will win the elections. I will give a quiet innovation to a big country that is Italy, beloved all over the world for its beauty, history, art, but also for it's technological, industrial capability. Italy will be an important partner and not a problem for Europe and the world.

Italian candidates back EU link
May 11, 2001
Thatcher backs Berlusconi
May 11, 2001
Italian campaign ends
May 11, 2001

Parlamento Italiano

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