Marattin is shifting further and further to the right. His stance is clear: “Dialogue with everyone, not just the centre”

As reported by Il Foglio, Luigi Marattin is preparing to position himself further to the right. Last night, the National Executive of the Liberal Democratic Party, of which he is secretary, approved by a majority (26 votes in favour, 21 against) his report, “which affirms the need to initiate dialogue with all political forces – not just those in the centre – on the basis of safeguarding the party’s autonomy and a clear liberal political and cultural identity, as set out in the four points we have repeatedly explained and referred to”, wrote MP Luigi in a social media post. The Lib Dems are opening up to other interested parties, going against the intentions expressed by party leader Andrea Marcucci, who – as also emerged in an interview he gave to Il Foglio On Air – would have preferred to remain within the purest centre, with a liberal-democratic bloc in close dialogue with Carlo Calenda and Pina Picierno. 

The four policy points, as summarised by Marattin, are: “The need for the State to do less, and do it better. Allocating the accumulated savings to a tax cut on personal income tax (IRPEF), corporate income tax (IRES), regional business tax (IRAP) and savings tax; policies of liberalisation, market promotion and competition across all sectors, to create and distribute opportunities and unleash the energies stifled by too many trade unions; the launch, in the next parliamentary term, of the construction of nuclear power stations using currently available technology; and a reform of the education system that radically tackles structural issues (from teacher recruitment to their pay, including the reorganisation of educational cycles, bilingualism and the reform of collegial bodies).”

“When we founded the party 18 months ago,” Marattin added, “we promised that we would create a new party but one in the old mould, where the governing bodies discuss, argue, try to persuade one another, and then decide by majority vote. And that is what we have done.” The MP therefore thanked “all those who do not share the Secretariat’s position, as they are unwilling, under any circumstances, even to consider alternatives to whatever is available outside the two coalitions, regardless of what that might be. A legitimate position that has been supported by many with loyalty and composure. We shall see what the coming weeks and months have in store for us,” concluded Marattin.