What I am publishing here is an interview I gave the Corriere della Sera for today’s edition.
I am convinced that Prodi will make it this time as well and, in any event, we of the Italia dei Valori party disagree with the attitude of the members of the “rifondazione” parties who are attempting to obtain by force that which they could not obtain by means of a worker referendum.

Corriere della Sera: The last Cabinet meeting revealed a number of signs of dissent.
Antonio di Pietro: «I was there and I found the pullback by a number of colleagues totally unconvincing. It was an orchestration designed to send out a public message. But, thereafter, there was no problem».
Corriere della Sera: But Social Solidarity Minister Paolo Ferrero abstained from the decision to ask for a vote of confidence.
Antonio di Pietro: «At the time, we gave the government our vote of confidence for the manner in which they reached agreement with the social parties, just as we reconfirmed our vote of confidence for the way in which it will be able to respond to the proposals that came from Parliament. Ours is a constructive confidence because, as we are entering the final stages of finalising the Budget, the government has the right and the duty to take the many requirements into account. In the end, irrespective of the gossip and special interests, Prodi will have to accept responsibility for finding the correct balance».
Corriere della Sera: However, Rifondazione is defending the sovereignty of Parliament.
Antonio di Pietro: «It is in everyone’s interest to respect the desires of the Houses. We have given the government a mandate to exercise its confidence so that Parliament can acknowledge the amount of effort that we have expended. And give the go-ahead for the process. No authority whatsoever has been taken away from Parliament».
Corriere della Sera: Which version will be voted on?
Antonio di Pietro: «The version must be the one that has emerged from the agreement reached between the social parties. It may be amended, not distorted mind you, but only subject to prior agreement between the social parties. This is also because we cannot simply trample on the heads of five million workers that voted in favour during the trades union referendum. In any event, the Italia dei Valori party disassociates itself from the blackmailing or high-handed behaviour of other parties».
Corriere della Sera: Are you referring to the Rifondazione party?
Antonio di Pietro: «Yes, but we also want to disassociate ourselves from the demands put forward by individual members of nonexistent parties».
Corriere della Sera: Perhaps the “diniani”?
Antonio di Pietro: «Not only them. There are six or seven senators that are solely representing themselves and they tend to apply a policy of blackmail».
Corriere della Sera: How will this all end, will the new Welfare Bill be approved?
Antonio di Pietro: «I am optimistic and I’m convinced that we will find common ground. However, what will be left is the bitterness regarding the fact that the summary does not represent a form of political mediation, but rather a process of survival. It is, therefore, a lower level point of equilibrium. I would like to advise Prodi not to accept this logic and to rather count on our support».
Corriere della Sera: Justice Minister Clemente Mastella is more rigid. He is aware that if any amendments are made to the text of the original version, a government crisis will be on the cards.
Antonio di Pietro:«We are saying the same thing in this regard. I must reiterate, however, that anything can be changed as long as the social parties agree it to. Therefore, we must all make an effort in order to find a solution».