After Gelmini, Brunetta quits Forza Italia

(see related stories) (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - Civil Service Minister Renato Brunetta said Thursday that he was quitting Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) after the centre-right group helped bring down outgoing Premier Mario Draghi's government on Wednesday by failing to back it in a confidence vote.
    His exit follows that of another high-profile, long-standing FI figure, Regional Affairs Minister Mariastella Gelmini, who quit on Wednesday, saying the party had turned its back on families and firms and given in to League leader Matteo Salvini.
    "Those who put partisan interests ahead of the interests of the country at such a grave time are irresponsible," Brunetta said.
    "The increasingly tight-knit leadership of Forza Italia have splayed themselves to the worst form of nationalist populism, sacrificing a champion like Draghi, the pride of Italy around the world, on the altar of the most short-sighted electoral opportunism".
    Italy looks set to have early elections within months following the collapse of Draghi's government.
    The right/centre-right coalition made up of Brothers of Italy (FdI), the only major party that did not back Draghi's government of national unity, the League and FI is expected to win the election. (ANSA).