The rupture with Giuseppe Conte has caused bitterness and annoyance within the Democratic Party. In a live TV appearance, the Five Star Movement president certified the end of the broad coalition, lifting the veto on Italia Viva in regional elections and calling out the stance of the Democratic Party secretary. However, Elly Schlein refrains from counterattacking and instead focuses on key issues, avoiding any controversy. The Democratic Party’s stance is clear: they are determined to win in all three regions in the upcoming elections and defeat Giorgia Meloni. Criticism mounts within the party against Conte’s latest move, with Democratic Party President Stefano Bonaccini describing the vetoes from the Five Star Movement leader as unacceptable.
Debora Serracchiani warns that the Democratic Party respects the choices made by its regional federations and suggests that President Conte should understand that making decisions from Rome does not always yield positive results. The Democratic Party’s secretary emphasizes the need for the political game to be played at the regional level rather than engaging in national disputes. In Emilia-Romagna, where the coalition is at risk, efforts are being made to solidify agreements. Differences persist over the inclusion of Italia Viva’s symbol on the ballot alongside Michele de Pascale, with Italy Viva insisting on their presence without any vetoes. Friction also arises in Umbria, where a civic list brings together centrists, potentially averting deviations, at least for now.
The situation shifts when focusing on the leadership dispute played out in Rome. Conte convenes the Five Star Movement’s top officials to reiterate their opposition to Renzi’s inclusion in the coalition, emphasizing that it is a crucial political issue. The stance is considered legitimate by Avs, which urges the Democratic Party to take a stance, framing Conte’s veto on Renzi as a political matter. The Democratic Party responds by suggesting that the Five Star Movement should exit from all joint administrations with Italia Viva if they want to remain consistent. Despite the tension, Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein maintains her silence and chooses to focus on engaging with various organizations and stakeholders on key issues such as the situation in the Middle East.
In the midst of the political turmoil, Donatella Tesei and Stefania Proietti emerge as the candidates for the presidency of the center-right and broad coalition, respectively, in Umbria. The friction between the leaders does not only impact the national political landscape but also affects the regional dynamics. While the Democratic Party steers clear from engaging in regional disputes and emphasizes the importance of adherence to programmatic agreements, the rift between the Five Star Movement and Italia Viva continues to escalate. As the political climate remains tense, coalitions and alliances are tested, with each party striving to secure their positions and interests ahead of the impending regional elections. Despite the internal turmoil and disagreements, the focus remains on consolidating support and defining strategies within the Democratic Party and the broader coalition.
