I Democritici join ELDR

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Jul 1999

A six-man team of Italian MEPs today (Wednesday) joined the Liberal Democrat group of the European Parliament.

The decision of the Democratici group to join ELDR takes the strength of the group to 50, the third-largest in the European Parliament.

ELDR chairman PAT COX welcomed the Italian delegation to the Liberal Democrat group.

"We regard the Democratici MEPs as a vital element of an ELDR group which will have a crucial role to play in the new Parliament. The positions of the parties after the recent elections now means that Liberal Democrats really can make a difference. The arrival of our Italian colleagues gives the group a broad spectrum which we will endeavour to use to best advantage" he said.

The six-man Democratici team is led by the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli and also includes Antonio Di Pietro, Massimo Cacciari, Paolo Costa, Pietro Mennea, and Giovanni Procacci.