THE OLIVE Tree Alliance led by Romano Prodi, backed by the former communist PDS, has defeated the right in Italy's recent election. tory for the left by the mediasince the war. The truth is.
While it is true that Berlusconi and Gianfranco's Fini National Alliance would have made one of the most reactionary and authoritanan governments in Europe, it is not the case that the break from the conservative politics of the last few years.
Although it presented itself as the upholder of welfare against the right, it has no intention of breaking out of the Maastricht convergence criteria that necessi• tate big cuts in expenditure.
The PDS has become one of the loudest advocates of neoliberThe leodership of the 'Olive Tree' bloc celebrates victory in Rome tray itself as the defender of soi rovision out us was cur across by the AN's alliance with middie. post seats. in goverment.
Umberto Bossi's Northern League--written off by many commentators—-was able to win ten per cent of the vote, consoli- PDS. dating its base among the small