Italian elections: time for a change of government

2.44.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Apr 2006

Graham Watson MEP in discussion with Romano Prodi

With Italy's centre-left coalition L'Unione winning control in the Chamber of Deputies and a slim victory projected in the Senate, ALDE leader Graham WATSON (Lib Dem, UK) said:

"I hope that the final results of the parliamentary elections will provide Romano Prodi's coalition with a sufficient majority to push the laws it needs to bring about economic and social reforms".

"Berlusconi managed to split the country into two antagonizing halves. I hope that L'Unione will manage to patch together the pieces in order to reconcile this divided society and be a government for all Italians", he added.

"For the European Union, Romano Prodi's victory is good news. An experienced and clearly pro-European Italy present in the European Council will help us get the EU back on track", he concluded.