competition on issues, but open challenge on Ukraine – Corriere.it

Rather than a “duel”, both sides of the progressive barricade prefer to speak of “open competition”. The choice, at least for now, is not to exaggerate the tone, but it is undeniable that the left turn of the Democratic Party with the victory of Elly Schlein has forced the M5S to review its strategy. Because now the game (for consensus and a hypothetical alliance) is no longer played with a “governor” Democratic Party, but with the new left-wing movement reinvigorated by the victory of the new secretary. Furthermore, in the polls, as has not happened for some time,
the Democratic Party is above Giuseppe Conte’s party by at least 2 points.
All elements that have radically changed the playing field and, therefore, the tactics of the Movement. From the headquarters they let it be known that they “do not live anxiously about this alleged competition of squares and polls”, because this leap forward of the dem is considered “physiological”.

All the dossiers on which Schlein is most in difficulty are arranged on Giuseppe Conte’s table, but also those on which it is easier to find a common synthesis with the Democratic Party. However, Conte, so far, seems to have concentrated on the former, challenging the dem leader several times on the pacifist line and against the sending of new weapons to Ukraine by the M5S. And if the positions remained distant? “Nothing breaks. The position of the Pd has always been this, from the beginning, of great conviction as regards this military strategy which is pursuing an escalation», Conte is pressing on from the procession in Rome of those excluded from the Superbonus, because «at the beginning they told us that they only sent bulletproof vests, then weapons, ammunition, carts, missile batteries, finally what will we send, the troops?». I distinguish that the leader will reiterate today in the Chamber, during the debate in view of the European Council. While after Qatargate, yesterday, it did not go unnoticed that the Democratic Party abstained on the motion with which the M5S asked to prohibit parliamentarians from receiving money from foreign states, to guarantee its independence; a move that also targeted Matteo Renzi’s conferences in Arab countries.

All numbers. The Democratic Party rises by 2 points (19%) with the “Schlein effect” On the front of the points of convergence, the Movement points out instead that on the minimum wage, with the bill signed by the dem Andrea Orlando, almost a photocopy of the pentastellata one. “For us it is a sign of strength that the Democratic Party, after years of delays, embraces some of our historic battles – observes Francesco Silvestri, group leader at Montecitorio —. We also hope that we can make one together on the rise in home mortgages ». And then: «There are undeniable differences with the Democratic Party on the issues of the Ukrainian conflict and ecological transition, and they cannot be hidden. Dialogue has always been and will remain open, but with respect for differences and mutual recognition”.

This tactic of variable alliances will also be applied in view of the vote on 14 and 15 May, when there will be votes in about 800 municipalities, including 19 provincial capitals. Where will there be common candidates? “There are no dogmas – the Movement replies – we will join forces only where there are programmatic points that can be shared, starting with the ecological transition and the no to incinerators”.

Meanwhile, yesterday Conte met Beppe Grillo for a long time in Rome: face to face to discuss the political line, but also of the contract (expiring in April) for communication consultancy between the founder and the M5S: 300 thousand euros a year, a lot for the no longer flourishing pentastellate coffers.