Carlo Calenda, strongly supported by the members of his party’s leadership, has emphasized that the positioning of his party, Azione, is distinct from the broader political spectrum and the populisms of both the right and the left. He believes Azione is at the center of the political alignment as desired by the voters, offering a reformist and pragmatic proposal. This statement comes after a few prominent members, including Mariastella Gelmini, Mara Carfagna, Giusy Versace, and Enrico Costa, left the party following Calenda’s decision to support a center-left candidate for the succession of Giovanni Toti in Liguria. Calenda expressed disappointment in their decision to switch allegiances mid-legislature, accusing them of betraying the voters.
The three former members of Azione, Gelmini, Carfagna, and Versace, have not yet announced their official next steps, but it is clear that they are leaning towards the center-right. Maurizio Lupi from Noi Moderati has already extended an invitation to the trio, expressing his party’s commitment to strengthening the centrist, popular, liberal, subsidiarity, and reformist area of the center-right. Lupi acknowledges the discomfort of those who aimed to build a centrist force and found themselves in a broader political coalition, despite not having leftist backgrounds. This move has not been well received by Carfagna, Gelmini, and Versace, who are unhappy with the lineup of candidates in Liguria from the center-left, such as the former PD minister Andrea Orlando.
Azione’s leadership, represented by Matteo Richetti, criticized the departing members for labeling their decision as joining the broad political spectrum, arguing that they should have respected the voters’ mandate. Richetti highlighted that Azione’s choices are made based on programs and candidates, rather than aligning with a specific political bloc. He emphasized the importance of building coalitions that ensure effective governance, cautioning against hastily forming alliances only to later struggle to fulfill responsibilities. This message also resonated with the Pd secretary, Elly Schlein, who works within the broader political spectrum to maintain equilibrium among various leaders.
Vincenzo de Luca, the governor of Campania, expressed support for a political alliance involving all parties, including the Five Star Movement. He emphasized the need for a broad coalition to ensure success. In contrast, Matteo Renzi criticized Calenda for his role in dismantling the third pole in Italian politics and now Azione. Renzi reiterated his commitment to promoting the interests of the center within the center-left, aiming to secure the votes of moderates and reformists to achieve victory. Renzi highlighted the importance of these voters for the success of the center-left coalition. Ultimately, the Italian political landscape remains dynamic and complex, with shifting allegiances and competing visions for the future.
