A single-round challenge between Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte or, if the competition is broader and includes a run-off, the presence of a candidate from Italia viva. This is the position expressed by Matteo Renzi in an interview with Corriere della Serain which he addresses the center-left primaries, the tensions with the president of the M5s and the issues of the common program. «I think the most logical thing is a straight challenge between Schlein and Conte in a single round, as Franceschini rightly proposed. If, however, there are many candidates and a runoff then we will have our candidate. We will see who in the next few weeks”, says the leader of Italia viva.
The reply to Conte: «I’m not looking for help»
Renzi also returns to the controversy relating to his possible candidacy in the majority list, a possibility he excludes: «I will not be a candidate in the majority list by my choice: I said it six months ago, not yesterday. If I return to Parliament, I will do it with my votes, not with the help of the 5 Star Movement or the Democratic Party.” The confrontation with Conte remains heated. The former prime minister defines the controversy as “cloying for insiders, let alone for citizens” and claims his path: “I have been elected continuously for over twenty years, taking votes, not scrounging for passages.” To the M5S president’s request to intervene on the conflict of interest, Renzi responds by recalling his own proposal submitted to the Senate: “Whoever is a parliamentarian does nothing else.” And she invites Conte to support her: «If Conte wants to lend a hand, he could sign this law that applies to everyone instead of reviving ad personam laws against me».
Ukraine, economy and justice: the search for an agreement
On foreign policy, Renzi considers an agreement between the allies possible, while recognizing the differences on Ukraine. “We must fight against Russian aggression both on the level of military aid and on the diplomatic level,” he maintains. The proposed synthesis brings together negotiations and European security: «Yes to diplomacy but also yes to common defense». For the leader of Italia viva, therefore, “agreement on foreign policy is not impossible”. The comparison on other chapters of the program will be more challenging in its interpretation: «We will instead have to make a greater effort on issues related to the economy and justice, but I am confident».