Veltroni: I did not, I apologize 
articolo tratto da Il Corriere.it «Ma il Pd resta un sogno che si è realizzato. Ora nessuno pensi di tornare al passato». «Basta sinistra salottiera»
MILANO - Il Pd non è nato come un «partito-Vinavil» capace di «tenere incollata qualsiasi cosa». E' al contrario un progetto ambizioso e a lungo termine, finalizzato a «far diventare il riformismo maggioranza nel Paese». A party entered into society, able to collect their bodies and moods. Able to turn the page and overcome "this Leopard from Italy." And to defeat a right and a Berlusconi who won "a battle for hegemony in society" and now "have the ability also to distort the values \u200b\u200bof society itself, building a system of negative values \u200b\u200bagainst which we must fight with courage." To do this, create a new party, ever seen in post-war Italian history. However, "I did not succeed and that is why I leave and I apologize." Walter Veltroni explains, in a farewell speech before the press and many leaders of the center-left, resigned as secretary of the Democratic Party after the election defeat in Sardinia. A result, the Sardinian, who has certainly influenced the decision but that was not the cause, "already a few days ago - said the former world number one is now the center - it was clear that we should open a new page." Dario Franceschini assume the role of regent of the party until a decision is taken on the new Summit. It is called Saturday for the constituent assembly that will have the PD on the agenda for the resignation of the secretary and the statutory obligations under them.
Regret - Veltroni began his speech in the hall of Hadrian in Rome Piazza Di Pietra speaking of 'regret' per un'idea buona ma partita troppo tardi, perché «il Pd doveva nascere già nel 1996», dopo la vittoria elettorale di Prodi. «L'idea alla base dell'Ulivo - spiega Veltroni - era la possibilità di cambiare il Paese, cosa che il governo Prodi, che al suo interno aveva due ministri che sarebbero poi diventati presidenti della Repubblica, aveva iniziato a fare. E se l'esperienza di quel governo fosse stata portata a termine, tutto il corso della storia italiana sarebbe stato diverso». E oggi che il Partito democratico è nato, aggiunge, è la «realizzazione di un sogno» perché dal dopoguerra «non c'è mai stato un ciclo veramente riformista». L'Italia, secondo Veltroni, è un po' quella by Leopard, a nation that fails to satisfy its ever changing vocations and privileges, and he said that the center plays very well. "And here is my opinion, the main challenge of the Democratic Party, or its major vocation: to win the consent of a majority with reality, because since 1994 we have never had a majority of Italians but it is what we must aim. Because if we do not create a great force for reform, this country will never change. "
Part-VINAVIL and the hegemony of Berlusconi - "The Democratic Party - says Veltroni - should not be a sort of glue that holds Vinavil anything. E 'in society must be clear that our proposal. The right won, the success of the PDL is difficult for us to understand. Berlusconi won a battle for hegemony in society, because he had the means and the ability to twist even the values \u200b\u200bof society itself, building a system of negative values \u200b\u200bagainst which we must fight with courage, even when the wind is lower, but knowing that if the sail is positioned in the right direction, sooner or later you get the wind behind it will push forward. " But the real problem, according to Veltroni, Berlusconi is not the policy, but the fact that this position be able to win consensus among the voters.
'THE PD I've seen "- The outgoing secretary then explained the three issues on which the Democratic Party has tried to engage in those months. Since the simplification of political and social life of the country, a concept, this, that it is not child's desire to reduce the differences, but the idea of \u200b\u200ba democracy that decides. " Then the 'programmatic innovation, exceeding the old patterns of the left, to face the new challenges of society. And third, the innovation of the party form: "I was hoping it could create a new, open" with a strong participation from below, "not as the right where there is only one who decides." "I learned in the Democratic Party I've seen" Veltroni stresses, however, remembering all the key moments of involvement the popular base of the center, from last year's elections to the manifestation of the Circus Maximus, through initiatives to defend the Constitution.
"I did NOT '- Then comes the moment of responsibility. "I did not make the party that I dreamed and dreamed of the 3 and a half million citizens who voted in the primaries - he says with determination -. I did not and I apologize. I feel for not having paid the push for innovation that was there and he had not perhaps for inner reflection that led me to the constant attempt to keep us united. " Moreover, "in this party we need more solidarity, which we feel all better squadra, che vi sia una partecipazione comune ad un disegno che è compito di chi è chiamato a dirigere assicurare». «Penso - evidenzia poi Veltroni - che il passaggio che si farà nei prossimi giorni si dovrà accompagnare a energie nuove, dovremmo fare un partito capace di raccogliere sempre di più la sua esperienza, capace di non chiedere più a nessuno "da dove vieni", ma solo "dove vai"». Alla manifestazione del 25 ottobre, ad esempio, «c'erano solo bandiere del Pd, non quelle dei vecchi partiti».
«BASTA CON LA SINISTRA SALOTTIERA» - Per Veltroni è necessario «passare da sinistra salottiera, giustizialista e conservatrice» ad un centrosinistra che creda nella legalità, I have courage to change, to rediscover the contact with the company: in short, "outside the rooms and into the real life of people."
'PAINFUL CHOICE BUT FAIR' - 'But I was not able to do everything and that's why I do the part - once again emphasize the outgoing secretary -. And 'painful choices about right, even to put away the Democratic Party from further tension and wear. It was already clear in recent days that they should open a new page. " "Do not ask with the clock in the hands of those who come after me to get the results immediately," said Veltroni then, because "a large project takes years, as has happened with Mitterand or Lula." In Germany or Britain, then recalls Veltroni, progressives have lost the local elections and no one has resigned. "We will in these six or seven years, we changed leadership, while Berlusconi is still there to win or lose. So - says the leader of the Democratic Party - who will come after you give me time to work, what I perhaps I have not won on the field. " There is also space for a biblical quotation: "Do unto others as you would not want done to you. In fact, I was done, but I will not. " Veltroni then invited to recall the pride of belonging, and considering that the work to be done to change the country is very, points out, "you can not put all together and the opposite of everything "but" it is necessary that the pressure to reform prevail. "
'WILL' THE TIME ... "-" The Democratic Party will unite the country - said the former secretary finally at the end of his message of farewell - while the right wants to divide. Join us between social forces, north and south, between young and old. There will come a time when this could happen. I hope to have made a contribution. But now I leave with complete peace of mind and without slamming the door, on the contrary I will try to help out with this project. When I walk for my city - Veltroni said in announcing the conclusion that it has already requested that the stock is revoked and devoting a long chapter to thank of all the people who worked with him in recent months (with a thought to the presidents of the chambers, and Fini Schifani, called "stakeholders correct) - I have the feeling of having spent my life doing things for others. They are more taken to be a man of the institutions that party man. Now I will have to manage my time. "Then the final exhortation:" We must not turn back. Today, there are the conditions for this party can finally realize the dream of a reformist majority in this country, the dream of a season in which the reform becomes the majority. Do not ever be tempted to think that there is a better yesterday for today. "
Alessandro Sala
February 18, 2009
