no to primaries, forward with an M5S candidate –

Goodbye wide field in Bari. “To the first judicial investigation is added today a second one in which vote swapping, the pollution of the vote, is obviously involved. Something we have been denouncing for some time. For the 5 Star Movement there are no conditions to seriously hold the primaries”, is the blunt announcement of Giuseppe Conte, leader of the M5S, on the sidelines of an event in Piazza della Libertà in Bari, in support of the centre-left candidate in the primaries, Michele Laoforgia. The consultation, which sees Michele Laforgia and Vito Leccese competing, is (was) scheduled for Sunday 7 April.

Conte’s comment concerns the investigation into electoral corruption which involved some municipalities in the metropolitan area and the Puglia region, with the consequent resignation of the regional transport councilor, Anita Maurodinoia. Conte explained that the reasons that pushed the Cinquestelle to support the candidate Laforgia “remain unchanged, indeed they are strengthened. We will also discuss with the others in the coalition, the other political and civic forces of the coalition, to try to tackle the electoral campaign for Bari in the name of a new beginning, of a strengthening of the safeguards of legality, of maximum transparency”.

“The Five Star Movement has the objective of legality, transparency, the fight once morest any form of corruption, polluting the vote, the fight once morest clans and mafias, which is an indispensable premise for being able to make a political contribution. If this promise isn’t there, we’re not there, we’ve said it from the beginning.” A resounding slap in the face to the Democratic Party from the former prime minister, who then reiterated the concept: “There are no conditions for the Movement to seriously hold the primaries. We will try to continue working with the other forces, but trying to obtain and demand the maximum guarantees so that these conditions exist. If these conditions don’t exist we don’t exist.” A hard blow for Elly Schlein to digest.