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The
national elections last month produced no clear winner, but President
Giorgio Napolitano said the 61-year-old Bersani was best positioned to
create a government given "the most difficult circumstances" -- a
reference that the political leader has a comfortable majority in the
lower house, but that the Senate is split.
Bersani's
forces finished first, but he has ruled out a coalition with former
Premier Silvio Berlusconi's conservative alliance, which would risk
further alienating the voting base of Bersani's Democratic Party.
But
if he shuns Berlusconi, Bersani will need to win support from
Parliament's new third bloc, a populist, anti-euro movement founded by
comic-turned-political leader Beppe Grillo. Grillo has rejected a vote
of confidence to support any established party -- and support in the
required vote of confidence for a new government to go forward.
Still,
some Grillo lawmakers broke ranks over the weekend and voted to support
Bersani's candidate as Senate speaker, a move that infuriated Grillo.
Bersani
pledged dialogue with political forces in the coming days, seeking a
balance between "a government seeking the change expected by the
Italians and one able to carry out reforms."
Outgoing Premier Mario Monti's centrist forces finished fourth with around 10 per cent of the vote.
Italian
elections were held February 24-25, but Napolitano could not consult
with leaders until after the new Parliament was seated last week and
caucus leaders were chosen.
