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".
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