“The right brakes, united in the ballots”. Schlein’s appeal but the 5S remain cold

ROME – What patience, they say to the Nazarene. Elly Schlein sews the web of alliances, the other center-left leaders fray it for him. You propose something obvious, almost trivial, after the first round of administration: we all go on stage together, for the ballots. Answer: I distinguish and dissociate. For now it goes like this. Probably until the Europeans. The dem secretary, after the first shift, still sees the glass more than half full. “The right is holding back – she said in a press conference at the Nazarene – and there is a Democratic Party that raises its head again”. A Pd first party, you underline, in almost all 13 capitals to vote. Which conquers Brescia at the first attempt, arm in arm with the Third Pole. And Teramo, side by side with the 5 Stars.

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But now there are 6 cities to conquer in two weeks. At least 4 would be needed, for the dem to say that they have improved the loot of five years ago (it was over 8 to 5 for the right). Therefore, Schlein hopes, “we hope to broaden the alliances. With one constant: the reliability of the Democratic Party”. The center of gravity of a wide field that up to now, however, is only a sketch on a sheet, because in the face of facts it almost never materialises. Ask Enrico Letta. Giorgia Meloni knows this, who in fact reads the data backwards and can be pleased with the fact that FdI continues to engulf the allies Lega and FI: “The center-right confirms its strength – is the comment of the premier – the consensus of the voters spurs us to accelerate on reforms”.

On the left, this round of administration also brings out the variable geometries of the alliances. Schlein, when asked, confirmed that he had no preferences for the 5 Stars or for the centrists. He hopes to make a synthesis, to put it in political language. In Brindisi and Pisa, the Democratic Party is currently allied only with the 5 Stars. In Vicenza and Ancona he is with the Third Pole. In Massa and Siena, he duets with the civics. So now the watchword at the Nazarene is: reassemble. Hence the idea of ​​the wide field format stage: “A rally with Conte? We are fully willing to meet with the leaders of the other forces – replies Schlein in front of reporters – We are here”. When? Where? “Ask them too.” Here are the answers, then. Carlo Calenda is direct: “I think it works much better if everyone speaks to his electorate”, he replies to Repubblica. Giuseppe Conte does not intervene directly, but from Campo Marzio, the headquarters of the 5 Stars, they reply as follows: “A rally with Schlein? We’ll see. We’re not meeting to decide whether to go to the streets with her”. At the Nazarene, however, they hope for it. “Tell them a square, a station, a bus stop”. Maybe in Brindisi, where the Democratic Party has sold the mayoral candidate to the Movement. There are also those who don’t want leaders, it must be said. Giacomo Possamai, who races in Vicenza, has already made it known: no big names.

It is possible that the two leaders, Conte and Schlein, will discuss alliances today on the phone. Also because, rallies aside, an agreement must be found for the second round. The M5S proves to be conciliatory on this: convergence on anti-right-wing candidates is natural, they say around Conte. We will see with what enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Schlein has to face the currents of the Democratic Party, which he has so far kept at bay. The latest clash is on the deputy group leaders in the House and the Senate. Three seats in each house of Parliament dance. The reformists are in fibrillation. They would like the Catholic Alfredo Bazoli as vicar at Palazzo Madama (but Schlein offered him the position of simple vice-president) and above all they would like the confirmation of Piero De Luca, deputy and son of the governor of Campania Vincenzo, arch-enemy of the secretary, as deputy in the Chamber, together with Simona Bonafè and Veronica Ghio for the left dem. The agreement seemed to be one step away, when yesterday the Nazarene crossed out the name of De Luca jr. Taken out and replaced with another moderate, Andrea De Maria. Faced with the risk of a count, and a sensational rift, the vote was skipped.