Statement by Justice Minister Clemente Mastella
In relation to facts that recall values, such as PACS, the programmatic question cannot be brought into play. ' This is the criterion – illustrated by the Minister of Justice Clemente Mastella at the CL meeting in Rimini – with which a possible bill on PACS should be discussed in Parliament.
""' there is no doubt that we would vote against, but this does not mean that if the parliamentary debate were to lead to the affirmation of the PACS, the government would be compromised". To clarify the concept, Mastella also gives the example of the DC, which "when it lost on divorce, took note of it without bringing down the government".‘
Statement by Senator for Life Giulio Andreotti
""On ethical issues such as PACS, President Prodi has an advantage in resisting the excessive demands of his majority: the senators for life, who are crucial to the government's stability." Senator for life Giulio Andreotti said this at the Rimini Meeting, adding: ""Prodi knows well that the majority of senators for life would vote no to a law establishing PACS. And so, to those in the Union who ask for it, Prodi can calmly say that preparing a text of that kind is useless, as it would not pass in the Senate because there would not be enough votes."’
Franco Grillini's response
MASTELLA? YOU DON'T GO TO CL WITH A HAT IN YOUR HAND
IT IS UNKNOWN WHO GAVE THE CONTRACT OF SENATOR FOR LIFE TO ANDREOTTI
human rights of people living in a de facto relationship, including homosexuals
And it would be nice if the Minister of Justice would say clear words against discrimination against homosexual people and hate crimes., of which we can read abundant reports in the news these days. Moreover, dear Mastella, CL only engages with those who declare they agree with its positions; it doesn't give us a vote and it hasn't given one to you either. So being complacent doesn't pay off, even in electoral terms.
In 13 European countries these rights have also been recognised by the vote of local Christian Democrats, whom we envy a lot because they no longer live in the Stone Age.’