Ex-premier and former
Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi on Friday pledged to
battle on as he resumed a tour to present his new book after his
parents were put under house arrest earlier this week.
The Senator's parents are under investigation for alleged
fraudulent bankruptcy and issuing false invoices.
Renzi has said his parents are innocent and the decision to
put them under house arrest is excessive.
"Faced with the difficulties we have, everyone says we are
finished," said Renzi, who quit as PD chief after the party
suffered its worst-ever showing at last year's general election.
"We are the ones who remain and never give up," he said to
warm applause at the event at Turin's Lingotto complex.
The ex-premier also attacked the current 5-Star
Movement-League government.
"An (additional) budget (to correct the public finances) is
already ready. They are just taking us for a ride because they
want to win the European elections (in May)," he said.
"An additional budget means that they'll put their hands in
our pocket.
"Since they have been in power, the economy is in reverse".
Former Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina, who is among
the candidates running to be the PD's new leader, attended
Friday's event.
"It was a duty to be here, above all in the human level,"
Martina said.
"A party is a community. When you have leaders like Matteo
Renzi who are going through a delicate period, it is important
to be present".
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