Letta learned from the Christian Democratic school that you cannot hold on to power for 50 years just by making compromises and taking steps backwards: there comes a time when you have to draw a line. In a word, take risks.

Notes from Wikiquote

As quoted in Letta: quando il gioco si fa duro il democristiano diventa cattivo, Ilfattoquotidiano.it (September 21, 2013)