ROME – Fomer economic development minister Carlo Calenda calls on former cabinet collegue to take leadership of the democratic party, a press conference heard on Wednesday. 

“I would like Roberta Pinotti (former defense minister) as the future leader of the democratic party (PD),” said Carlo Calenda at the Foreign Press Association in Rome. Calenda and Pinotti have workerd together as ministers in both the Renzi and Gentiloni government. 

 “I am grateful to the opportunities Renzi has given me. The Renzi government was a good government, but we lost contact with reality – we became arrogant” said Calenda.

 On the future of the PD moving towards the 2019 European elections, Calenda called for the formation of a wider progressive republican front fighting against populism. “I believe in a republican front project englobing the entire of centre-left politics spectrum including the PD – the PD cannot compete on its own” said Calenda.

 When questioned on the current state of the government Calenda expressed concern on its durability and instability of markets. " A government crisis is imminent if the rhetoric remains unchanged. It will end miserably if the spread (an indicator of investor confidence) keep rising. Salvini's work has been a disaster, he hasn't kept on his campaign promises. Di Maio, based on his recent deficit statements, is not taking his job seriously" said Calenda. 

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