ROME, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Stellantis ( STLA ) should go

back to focusing on Italy after the resignation of its CEO

Carlos Tavares, the country's industry minister said on Monday,

in the first comment by a government member after the abrupt

departure.

"A new phase will be opened (after the resignation) and we

hope Italy will again be central to Stellantis' ( STLA ) business plan,

with a full awareness of how important 'made in Italy' is,"

Minister Adolfo Urso said during a visit to India, in comments

confirmed by a spokesman.

The multinational automaker, whose Italian brands include

Fiat and Alfa Romeo, has repeatedly paused production this year

at its Italian sites, including at its historic Mirafiori plant

in Turin.

In talks last week with the government and unions, it

pledged not to close factories in the country or make mass

redundancies.