PROSPECTS FOR A STABLE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200200008-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 2, 1998
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: March 25, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

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NSC BRIEFING 25 March 1954
PROSPECTS FOR A STABLE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT
I. Scelba coalition government pre-
carious:
A. Narrow Chamber majority (300-
283) rests on support of 3
minor democratic parties.
B. Cabinet prestige weakened by
Montesi scandal.
II. But minor parties want to keep
Scelba in office:
A. His cabinet first since June
1953 elections to counter
popular appeal of Communists-
Nenni Socialists.
B. Government parties fear new
elections under continuing un-
favorable economic conditions.
III. Possibilities of alternative coalition
including Monarchists:
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A. Monarchists can contribute 40
seats.
B. But such a move would also mean:
1. Withdrawal of Social Demo-
crats (19 seats)
2. Withdrawal of Republicans
(5 seats)
3. Probable split of Christian
Democrats leaving new
coalition without majority.
a. Left wing of Christian
Democratis:, which gained
in June 1953 elections,
is anti-Monarchist.
b. Pella Christian Demo-
cratic government fell
in December largely
because of ties with
Monarchists.
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c. Ex-premier De Gasperi con-
tinues much opposed to
Monarchist alliance.
4. Social Democrats and some
left wing Christian Demo-
crats would tend to cooperate
with Nenni Socialists.
C. Monarchists generally vacillating on
American policy objectives.
1. Insist EDC be made con-
ditional on satisfactory
Trieste solution.
2. Want greater policy-making
role for Italy in NATO.
3. Many want expanded Italian
trade with Orbit.
D. Monarchists oppose socio-economic
reforms designed to lessen Commu-
nist electoral appeal.
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E. Monarchists generally an unstable
element:
1. Leadership split on foreign
policy and relations with
neo-fascists.
2. Party's advocacy of institu-
tional change increases
polarization of Italian
politics between extreme
right and extreme left.
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