Tajani elected Forza Italia secretary

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 15 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was elected Forza Italia (FI) secretary by the centre-right party's national council in Rome on Saturday.
    It is the first time FI's national council has met since ex-premier and party founder Silvio Berlusconi died last month.
    Former European Parliament president Tajani will hold the position on a 'pro tempore' basis until the party's next congress.
    He was voted in unanimously by a show of hands.
    FI Senate whip Licia Ronzulli said the party had decided to change its statute so the role of party president, which was Berlusconi's, no longer exists.
    "There's only one president for us," Ronzulli said.
    Tajani pledged that he would work to make Berlusconi's vision become a reality after being elected the party's caretaker leader.
    "It is not easy to lead a political movement that has had Silvio Berlusconi as its leader for almost 30 years," said Tajani, who had been the party's national coordinator.
    "I can only guarantee my commitment, determination and will to turn all his dreams into reality.
    "To do this I will need all of you, all our politicians, our elected representatives, our sympathisers and our activists.
    "Leading Forza Italia is a very complicated undertaking because there will never be anyone like him.
    "But now, all together, we must honour what he did and not waste the legacy he has left us.
    "It is like a great inheritance that we have.
    "Woe betide the children that waste the inheritance from their father.
    "It is not a question of powers. We are all fighting together" he added.
    European People's Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber was among the participants at Saturday's meeting.
    "Congratulations @Antonio_Tajani with your election as National Secretary of @forza_italia!," Weber said via Twitter.
    "I cannot think of a better choice to lead Forza Italia as you open a new chapter of the history of the party.
    "You have our full support. Forza Italia, Forza Europa!" Berlusconi's children, meanwhile, told Forza Italia to continue to fight for the ideals of the party's founder in a letter to it on Saturday.
    "Dear friends, thank you for the support and closeness you have always shown to our dear father," said the letter, which was read out by Tajani.
    "And thank you for everything you will do from now on to continue to uphold the ideals of freedom, progress and democracy that have always distinguished his thoughts and actions".
    (ANSA).