Tag: Carlo Calenda

ROME — Italy’s post-election political turmoil is hampering the sale of Alitalia, the country’s bankrupt flag carrier only being kept aloft thanks to emergency government loans. Tuesday marked an informal deadline for binding bids to be filed. But possible buyers are balking thanks to the political impasse that followed last month’s inconclusive election. The country’s two leading parties have both expressed reservations about selling the carrier to a foreign bidder. A spokeswoman at the industry ministry confirmed that “a slowdown [in the sale process] is due to the fact that the possible buyers are waiting for a clearer political situation before deciding.” “We will take all necessary steps to be prepared … But today’s Alitalia is not of interest to us” — Lufthansa spokeswoman Neda Jaafari Germany’s Lufthansa, British low-cost carrier easyJet and U.S. private equity fund Cerberus are among the companies that previously expressed interest in Alitalia, under administration since its staff rejected a rescue plan that would have cut jobs and salaries. Lufthansa made clear on Tuesday it’s not interested in the Italian carrier in its current shape. “The matter is too politically sensitive to be dealt by an interim government” — Wolfango Piccoli, head of Teneo Intelligence “We have submitted a document outlining our ideas for a restructured ‘New Alitalia.’ We can imagine further discussions based on that,” spokeswoman Neda Jaafari said. Alitalia said in a statement late Tuesday it had received three offers but declined to name the bidders. On Alitalia, however, both the 5Stars and the League have expressed similar views, hinting that the next government — if led by them — could consider exploring new “national” solutions for Alitalia, including a state investment in the company. “You could put anything in front of an Italian and as long as it has a tricolor, they will buy it,” said the industry official, referring to the Italian national flag.