With a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, the Minister for Regional Affairs, Enrico Costa, has communicated his intention to resign to return to Forza Italia.
The decision was expected. On the day of the controversial halt to the ius soli, on which the minister had threatened to take a step back if the government trusted, Costa had stated that he wanted to "break the delay" by accepting Silvio Berlusconi's reaggregation offer.
“Dear President – writes Costa to Gentiloni – in recent days I have expressed my conviction that it is time to work on a broad political agenda which brings together those liberal forces which for decades have embodied the aspirations, ideals, values and interests of millions of Italians who have always rejected extremist and demagogic solutions. They are completely natural political opinions, for those with a political history like mine”.
“In recent months - continues the now former Head of Foreign Affairs - I have also expressed dissent on some measures (ius soli, criminal trial), giving detailed reasons for my positions. There are those who have considered these opinions a source of prejudice for the Government, but also those who have appreciated them because they have brought about an interesting dialectic"
“You, dear President – continues Costa – have always respected my ideas. You never blinded me or asked me to give up my beliefs. I appreciate it very much. But I can't pretend I don't see the crowd of those who see a conflict between my role and my thinking. And since I don't want to create problems for the government, I'm giving up the role and I keep the thought. I had a unique opportunity and had a wonderful experience, always with the utmost commitment”.
“Now I take a step back – he concludes -, because beliefs come before positions. To those who advise me to comfortably maintain the role of Government, giving one blow to the circle and one to the barrel, I reply that I do not want misunderstandings or ambiguities. I will extend the list, however very short, of ministers who have resigned spontaneously. Therefore, I hereby resign – concludes Costa – my resignation from the office of Minister for Regional Affairs. A warm greeting and best wishes to you and to all the members of the Government for a good job".
Premier Gentiloni has taken note of the choice and will assume the leadership of the ministry ad interim.