No ultimatum, but the situation remains tense. Alitalia, Etihad and the Italian Ministry of Transport deny the rumor according to which James Hogan, CEO of the Arab company, would have given the Italian company until Monday 28 to close the deal, otherwise the Abu Dhabi giant would have backed down . The most serious alarm therefore falls, since, without the help of the Arabs - called to take over 49% of the company -, the former Italian national carrier would immediately return to travel towards bankruptcy. The road to reaching the final agreement, however, is still cluttered with obstacles.
Meanwhile, this morning goes on stage the assembly of Alitalia shareholders which should approve the 2013 financial statements (closed with a loss of 569 million euros) and a capital increase of 250 million euros (another condition set by Etihad to enter the capital). The most probable solution, at least for today, is postponement.
Among the shareholders, in fact, the dilemma of the company remains to be resolved Post. The company came into play last autumn, when the former CEO, Massimo Sarmi (vying for reappointment), agreed to help the Letta government by investing 75 million in Alitalia. Money that has led the Post Office to be today the main shareholder of the airline (at 19,5%), ahead of Intesa Sanpaolo.
The problem is that in the meantime Sarmi has been replaced by Francesco Caio and Letta by Matteo Renzi. The new CEO has already made it known that, since his company is close to being listed on the stock exchange, every investment must have "a strong orientation towards the future". Translation: Poste Italiane would agree to keep 5% of a purged newco in its portfolio, but not to take on Alitalia's old debts. "These are choices of private shareholders who must find the synthesis", commented the Minister of Transport, Maurizio Lupi.
Also on the union side there is no unity of purpose. The general secretary of the CGIL, Susanna Camusso, said yesterday that "with the mobility of Alitalia personnel, the Government sets a very dangerous precedent". Uil, on the other hand, boycotted the workers' referendum called by the CGIL and CISL. He called it "a farce" and planned another one for next week.
In the meantime, this morning the result of the first consultation was announced: the quorum has not been reached, but the supplementary agreement (which also includes the cut in labor costs) remains valid, as confirmed via twitter by Giovanni Luciano, secretary general of the Fit Cisl: “About 30% of voters in 25 hours of open polling stations with over 80% yes. No quorum, no agreement".
