The Italian Socialists
In Italy would-be Socialists have had several parties to choose from ; they could fellow-travel with the Communist-minded Signor Nenni, or share the responsibilities of office with Signor Sarapt, or find a home at various points in between these two extremes. The position has been so obviously unsatisfactory that no one can be greatly surprised at the decision taken on Wednesday to unite two of the parties concerned—the P.S.U., led by Signor Romita, and the P.S.L.I., led by Signor Saragat. The main points of divergence between the two were that the P.S.L.I. was inside and the P.S.U. outside the Government coalition, and that the P.S.L.I. supports, while the P.S.U. in general opposes, Italy's membership of the Atlantic Treaty Alliance. The compromise agreed on as basis for the new united party (suitably, if rather cumbrously, to be known as the P.S.U.L.I.) is that it should be outside the Government but support the Atlantic Pact. On the face of it this is an unsatisfactory compromise. The Government must be weakened by the withdrawal of one group of its sup- porters (the resignation of three Ministers and four Under- Secretaries has followed), and the consequent strengthening of its voting majority, at least where foreign affairs are concerned, would not be adequate consolation. In the long run the new alignment might be advantageous if it provided a more effective alternative for the allegiance of the Italian working-class voter who is tired or suspicious of Communist leadership, but the seceders from the Communist Party who have been led by Signors Cucchi and Magnani have made a point of reaffirming their opposition to the Atlantic Pact. What is now taking place will probably turn out to be a reshuffle of allegiances, but the anti-Communist front is on the whole strengthened.
Previous page
