865.00/3–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
463. Now that third De Gasperi govt has received its vote of confidence as was anticipated from Constituent Assembly, it can turn its attention to business of govt and implementation of its program (my A–360, February 28 and telegram 428, February 281). Normal opposition extreme right wing and Liberals was supported in this latest test of strength by Republicans and Saragat Socialists. Opposition of latter two groups, however, may be considered more symbolic than real since (1) they could have participated in govt and (2) are not in principle opposed to declared aims and policies of parties comprising present tripartite govt.
On balance we believe De Gasperi emerged from most recent crisis in stronger position though not to degree he had expected when he precipitated crisis. In outgoing govt, ratio was eight Democrat Christians, four Communists, four Socialists, and two Republicans. With elimination and consolidation of ministries, present ratio is Christian Democrats six, Communists and Socialists three each and two Independents. While similar balance between Christian Democrats and Socialists-Communists has been preserved, importance of two Independents positions in Cabinet has been increased by reduction in portfolios. Latter, Sforza2 and Gasparotto,3 are most [more] amenable to Prime Minister than were Republicans in previous Cabinet and may be expected to vote with him on important questions. Furthermore, Communists have been eliminated from powerful Finance Ministry and combined portfolio of Treasury and Finance allotted to energetic capable Democrat Christian Minister Campilli. Also in new Ministry of Defense headed by Independent Gasparotto, Democrat Christians have two of four Under Secretaries (my A–272, February 184).
[Page 871]While new Cabinet is more compact and, therefore, more manageable political lines therein are most clearly drawn since Socialist representation now comes only from Nenni-Basso remnant of party with its unwavering policy of close cooperation with Communists.
Finally the most recent crisis has bad [had?] stabilizing effect on political life of country in that it has brought needed clarification in restless and speculative political atmosphere, (see Embtel 4273, November 25 and 110, January 145) which had reached its climax on Prime Minister’s return from US and proved if nothing more that there is no other workable basis for govt than coalition cabinet comprised of three mass parties. It is, therefore, improbable that there will be any further serious basis for govt crisis during this final interim period leading up to elections for Parliament under new constitution which are obviously predicted between June and October although the continued force[d] cohabitation of the Social[ists,] Communist[s] and Democrat Christians still contains elements for polemics and distrust which existed before.