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SIRN SAU M ICASTELLINA
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countries we find Britain and Scandinavia and Germany ruled by Labor's
reformism and Social Democracy . The Union of the Left seems on
the verge of taking power in France , but it is not yet there , and
we do not quite know what it will do once in office . We certainly find an
anti-capitalist social criticism and even popular mentality in the United
States , but not a socialist or working class movement. It is difficult in
these circumstances to think about Italy apart from the global situation .
What do you think will be the probable effect of that situation, eco–
nomically and politically, on Italy in the next twelve to eighteen months?
Castel/ina:
We think that we can expect a political paralysis in Italy. That is
the result of the recent elections, in which the Communist Party had a
great electoral success , and the left as a whole has had forty-seven percent ,
which is very large . The success of the Christian Democrats is that they re–
covered some of the ground they lost last year in the regional and local
elections, but that success came from their destroying all the political
forces which were their traditional allies. They are now without possible
alliances. The Christian Democrats can do nothing without the Commu–
nists , but the Communists can do nothing with them. The result is that
everyone is
paraly~ed , .
and it is dangerous . We might well get a govern–
ment with the Communists associated in some way, not inside but out–
side, supporting it from outside . What, however , could this government
do? Absolutely nothing , because the contradictions will arise as soon as
any kind of problem has to be faced . The problems will fester until they
become so acute that they will have to be solved immediately-but at that
moment the left's power will have been reduced . People voted for the
Communists because they wanted a change, and
if
things are not changed ,
their trust in the Communists and in the left will be reduced . In the ab–
sence of that trust, there will be disaffection serving as the ground for a
counter-offensive of the right. The Christian Democrats don't want a
compromise with the Communists, but to immobilize them in order to
take the time to destroy them in a weaker condition . That is why we op–
pose the' 'Historical Compromise" proposed by the Communists to the
Christian Democrats .
Birnbaum:
Concretely, beginning with the forty-seven percent of the left,
and envisaging the possible inclusion of the Republicans-do you see the
possibility of some kind of left and anti-clerical majority in this Parlia–
ment, excluding the Christian Democrats? The left and anti-clerical ma–
jority would have to work on some kind of transitional program-but is
there such a chance?
Castel/ina:
The Christian Democrats are unable to do what they want. If the
entire left-the Communists, Socialists, and ourselves-remains united,
