ELECTION IN ITALY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27055, 2 June 1953, Page 7

ELECTION IN ITALY

Anxiety About Outcome (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 1. “With a week to go to June 7, when the first general elections since 1948 will be held throughout Italy, prospects for their outcome are beginning to cause a certain amount of anxiety,’’ says the Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” The correspondent added that the general impression is that the position of the Prime Minister (Mr de Gasperi) and his Christian Democratic Party, and its allies—the Republicans, Social Democrats and Liberals —has deteriorated in recent weeks, “The Christian Democrats’ Party, owing to the turn of international events, has not succeeded in creating an atmosphere of urgency and danger. It had counted on this to ensure a large turn-out at the elections and a sufficiently large vote for their group of parties to obtain 50 per cent, plus one vote of all the votes cast, which according to the new electoral law would entitle them to 380 seats out of a total of 590 in the new Chamber of Deputies. “Some help for the Christian Democratic campaign has again come from Jugoslavia. Marshal Tito’s recent speech on Trieste undoubtedly strengthened the Prime Minister’s party. But the death of Stalin, Malenkov’s peace moves, and the fact that Italy no longer borders the Iron Curtain now that Jugoslavia has withdrawn from the Cominform, and a growing sense of self-confidence resulting from the rebirth of Italy’s armed forces and the increased defensive capacities of Europe, have al) lulled Italy into a feeling of security. “Meanwhile the years of Government, even accompanied by such great results as those achieved by the present Government, leave behind them a large number of unsatisfied people. “The rebirth of anti-clericalism is another factor that will influence the elections. Many people in Italy feel strongly on the allegedly increased meddling and influence of the clergy in non-religious affairs. “Nor has the Government’s electoral reform laws contributed to its popularity. “There is little doubt that the Christian Democrats will be the strongest single party, but if they and their allies ao not obtain an absolute majority. Italy’s young democracy will have to face a period of dangerous uncertainty”