316. Editorial Note
Parliamentary elections in Italy April 28–29 showed a continuing swing to the left on the part of the Italian electorate. The Christian Democratic Party lost 750,000 votes and 13 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The Social Democrats gained 11 seats and the Socialists 3. The Italian Communist Party made a significant advance in its total vote, winning over one-quarter of all votes cast and picking up 26 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. In telegram 2302, May 1, the Embassy in Rome reported:
“As politicians begin agonizing examination of just what happened in these elections and what possibilities are now open to democratic forces in Italy, only fact immediately apparent is that there is no pat explanation of disappointing results and no easy solution to what may become prolonged period of governmental instability.”
The telegram continued:
“First attempt will probably be to regroup center-left, but it will be delicate operation. DC is far from united and, particularly if PSI attempts press advantage in terms of ‘unreasonable’ program demands, new center-left combination might easily fall apart before it began. Other possibilities include single-party governments enjoying negotiated support from other parties or depending on support first of one and then another. It would probably be difficult, however, to find anyone willing to try to head so inherently unstable a government.
“Outlook then is for protracted and delicate negotiations with usual accompaniment of offers, statements of position, trial balloons and backroom deals.” (Department of State, Central Files, Pol 14 Italy)
In telegram 2416, May 13, the Embassy further reported that the results of the election had probably derailed plans for an immediate entry by the Socialist Party into a governing coalition. (Ibid.) Two days later, May 15, with the parties deadlocked on the choice of a new government formula, Prime Minister Fanfani handed in his resignation to President Segni. The Italian President then asked Christian Democratic Party Secretary Aldo Moro to begin negotiations aimed at the formation of a new government.
The uncertainties attending the formation of an Italian Government, together with reports that Pope John XXIII was seriously ill, caused a change in plans for President Kennedy’s projected visit to Italy. Originally the President had planned to visit Rome near the beginning of his June 23–July 3 trip to Europe. In view of the complications arising from negotiations over a new Italian Government and the Pope’s illness, the White House delayed the visit until the end of the President’s European trip. On June 3, upon news of the death of Pope John, the Department of State formally instructed the Embassy in Rome to propose July 1–2 to President Segni as the dates of the Kennedy visit. It also instructed the Embassy that in the event of the election of a successor to Pope John prior to the President’s visit:
“President would not wish be in Rome during coronation itself but above schedule might well fall between conclave and coronation and thus give him a chance for informal meeting with new Pope.” (Telegram 2422 to Rome, June 3; ibid., Pol 7–US–Kennedy)
In telegram 2746, June 19, the Embassy reported that Moro’s efforts to form a government had collapsed after a June 16–17 revolt against PSI participation in the government led by Nenni’s rival for leadership of the party’s autonomist wing, Riccardo Lombardi. Nenni had submitted his resignation to the PSI central committee. Nevertheless, Segni, who was the foremost proponent of the visit, assured U.S. officials that a government, “albeit perhaps a minority one,” would be in office when the President arrived in Italy. The Embassy further reported that a number of “Italian leaders friendly to us” were counseling either postponement of the visit or a meeting outside of Rome, warning that any new government formed prior to the President’s arrival would lack a parliamentary mandate. (Ibid.)
On June 21 Giovanni Leone formed a minority government of Christian Democrats. The same day a conclave of the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic church elected Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, as successor to Pope John. The new pontiff took the name Paul VI. Following instructions provided in telegram 2422, the Embassy arranged for an informal meeting with the new Pope during the President’s Rome visit.