ITALY: Pax Romana

After 186 days, a government

If nothing else, the Italian way of government almost slavishly honors traditions. One is the prolongation of political crises to a degree that commands the awe, if not exactly the envy, of the rest of Europe. Another is an unfailing respect for the sacrosanct mid-August “Ferragosto” vacation, when millions of Italians, especially the politicians, seek a respite from the inconclusive politicking of Rome and leap to the seashore like cats onto tuna.

Both traditions were faithfully upheld as Italy last week got its 42nd postFascist government: a three-party minority coalition headed by Christian Democrat Francesco Cossiga, 51, a surprising but respected choice. The formation of the new Cabinet ended what had appeared to be an insoluble political crisis lasting 186 days—a new national record—and dating back to January when Premier Giulio Andreotti was toppled by the Communists’ withdrawal of their parliamentary support. It also showed every sign of being a stopgap. “We will have a government of truce,” quipped a deputy in a cartoon in Turin’s daily Stampa Sera. “Hostilities will be resumed at a date to be agreed upon.”

The centrist, 24-member Cabinet is composed of 16 Christian Democrats, six representatives from the small Social Democratic and Liberal parties, plus two unaffiliated technocrats. For parliamentary survival, it will have to depend on nothing more solid than the grudging abstention of Bettino Craxi’s unpredictable Socialists. It will also have to contend with the opposition of Enrico Berlinguer’s still powerful Communists. As a result, Cossiga hardly is in a position to make major decisions to deal with Italy’s daunting problems of 15% inflation, 7% unemployment and nearly chronic terrorism.

Still, the new government offered a welcome if temporary relief from the grinding stalemate among the three largest parties, which have been unable to make the compromises necessary for a lasting coalition. The Communists, who dropped to 30% of the vote in last June’s election, demand Cabinet seats in any government they support. The Socialists, who gained slightly, to 10%, want the premiership for themselves. The Christian Democrats, who maintained their predominance with 38%, refuse both conditions and cannot even decide which ally they might prefer.

Cossiga’s government, in fact, was virtually foisted on the politicians by President Alessandro Pertini, 82. Exasperated by the failure of three successive Premiers-designate,* he first threatened to go on television to denounce the party leaders. Then, after a quick shuffle of new names, he picked Cossiga as one on whom all parties could agree. As surprised as anyone else, Cossiga was packing his bag for a boating weekend with his family when the call came from Christian Democratic Party Secretary Benigno Zaccagnini: “Get ready. It’s your turn.”

For first-time Premier Cossiga, a Sardinian who happens to be a cousin of Berlinguer, it was a dramatic return from political oblivion. As Interior Minister during the Aldo Moro kidnaping, he had opposed any bargaining with the kidnapers. When Moro was found murdered after 54 days, Cossiga took full responsibility and resigned the next day. By now, even Moro’s widow reportedly has forgiven him. Cossiga, though, clearly has not forgotten. Before proceeding to the Quirinale Palace for the swearing-in of his “government of truce,” he paused to pray at Moro’s tomb.

* Andreotti, Craxi and Christian Democrat Filippo Maria Pandolfi.