277. Editorial Note
Although holding a very slim parliamentary majority and relying on the votes of neo-Fascist deputies for its survival, the government of Prime Minister Tambroni took a hard line against the political protests of the left-wing parties. Police suppression of a Communist political rally in Bologna in early June 1960 led to further public protests and to fist fights in the Chamber of Deputies. Tambroni’s decision to grant permission to the neo-Fascist MSI to hold a party congress in Genoa led to riots in that city and the eventual cancellation of the meeting. Between June 30 and July 7, violent outbreaks took place throughout Italy. Leaders of the ruling Christian Democratic Party held meetings with the representatives of other center parties which resulted in a decision to replace Tambroni.
The negotiations for a new government were managed by Aldo Moro, Secretary of the Christian Democratic Party, and resulted in a July 16 agreement among the Christian Democrats, Liberals, Social Democrats, and Republicans to form a new government. This agreement was ratified by the directorate of the Christian Democratic government on July 18. Tambroni resigned the following day.
On July 26, Amintore Fanfani formed his third government, a four-party coalition of Liberals, Republicans, Social Democrats, and Christian Democrats. In the confidence vote that followed, the Socialist Party abstained. This action was a victory for PSI Secretary Pietro Nenni over those Socialist Party elements favoring closer cooperation with the Communist Party. Ambassador Zellerbach commented:
“For the first time since 1958 Italy now has a government based on broad center parliamentary support which offers prospect of developing into effective governing instrument. Shock engendered by Communist riots, and by realization of how close Gronchi and Tambroni were to consolidating personal power with adventitious aid of certain extreme right political, economic and clerical elements, caused democratic parties to close ranks.” (Telegram 426 from Rome, July 27; Department of State, Central Files, 765.00/7–2760)