Distensione

Italy's Presidents, like other European Presidents, are expected to deliver harmless inaugural speeches in favor of orderly government and sober living. But last week newly elected President Giovanni Gronchi, Catholic advocate of the "opening to the Left," startled Italy's assembled legislators by delivering a rousing political inaugural that plainly pleased the Communists more than his own party, the Christian Democrats.

"A ten-year cycle has been closed," cried President Gronchi, "and a new phase is about to open." By the new phase, he meant himself. "I don't think I am being blinded by vanity, but I believe that never before has the Italian Republic been so near the soul of its people as in this moment."

The man who had been elected with the votes of the Communists and Pietro Nenni's fellow-traveling Socialists, and the belated, reluctant support of Pre mier Mario Scelba's Christian Democrats, talked grandly about "the start of my mandate." His mandate, he hinted, was that Nenni's fellow-traveling Socialists should be brought into the government.

He gave only perfunctory support to the Western alliance, and insisted instead that "the new phase of our national life coincides with the new trends in international relations."

Time and again, the Communists and their Socialist allies leaped to their feet to applaud and cheer. Premier Scelba sat dourly throughout. Afterwards, new President Gronchi received the Christian Democrats' party boss Amintore Fanfani and told him: "Let's hope my election will bring about a distensione in this country, which I, as chief of state, will do my best to promote." "Distensione" is Italian for easing of tension, and its advocates mean by it not only coexisting with Russia as a nation, but coexisting at home with sweet-talking fellow travelers in an old-style popular front.

But that day is not yet here. As required by custom, Premier Scelba journeyed to the Quirinal Palace to present his formal resignation to the new President. Scelba made it plain that he regarded his resignation as only "a personal expression of dutiful deference." Gronchi took the hint, and formally rejected the resignation. Scelba, who has shown more agility in surviving in office than activity in governing, thus won another reprieve which should last at least until the Sicilian elections in early June.

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