CENTER-RIGHT DEMANDS IMMEDIATE NEW ELECTIONS
Center-right leader Berlusconi criticized President Ciampi's decision to attempt to form a center-left government and demanded immediate elections.
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erlusconi accused this attempt of being undemocratic and stated that the left wanted to maintain power at all costs.
Treasury Minister, Amato, was asked to form a government, but Berlusconi said that Communists were using Amato as a "useful idiot".
In appointing Amato, President Ciampi interprets the people's desire for a firm government, at least till April next year when a general election is due. Early elections would moreover avoid the referendum on electoral reform scheduled for next month.
Berlusconi was asked to moderate his "intolerant language" and warned that the right would find itself ostracized as "extremist and xenophobic"
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