European elections, Schlein-Conte sparks again. Pd towards the direction on the lists –

First he charges the PD’s pride, put to the test in recent times, then he warns Giuseppe Conte. The alternative to the right, says Elly Schlein confidently from the conference room of Palazzo Grazioli, in front of the foreign press, either comes from the first opposition party or it doesn’t exist: respect for the democratic community is needed. Despite the frost of recent weeks, however, the Democratic secretary does not intend to declare the death of the so-called wide field. The commitment to building a front that can compete with Giorgia Meloni and companions remains. “Of course – she admits – I wouldn’t want it to be just my problem but also the responsibility of the other opposition forces who should be clear that the adversary is this Government”. The leader of the Nazarene does not intend to hide the difficulties of the moment but wants to broaden her gaze to account for the numbers and dynamics of the alliance: «There are certainly some problems, but I would like to point out to those who declare the construction of the alternative dead, which in We went together in 4 out of 5 regions, in 22 out of 27 municipalities there is an alliance. The construction of the alternative doesn’t seem so dead to me”, she argues. In truth, the “unsolicited advice” arriving from the M5S leader in recent days has not been too welcome. “Schlein changes the Democratic Party before the Democratic Party changes you,” Conte had ventured from the columns of Corriere della Sera.

“This community deserves respect. Nobody should reduce it to a speck, I don’t accept this and I don’t need advice or anything else to do what I was elected to do”, replies the leader with a hard face. From Calabria, however, Conte’s “joke” is not long in coming: «Relax – the jab – If we overcome the Democratic Party in the European elections, I will not use this as a reason for leadership». And if the leadership convened for Sunday 21 April (“in full voting in Basilicata”, he does not forget to underline the internal minority) will decide on the lists and the candidacy of the leader – many are waiting for his official announcement – Schlein, in the meantime, claims what has been done this year at the Nazarene. «We raised our heads once more. We were discussing whether the Democratic Party would survive or not, from the lowest point, 14.5%, we went back up to 20%. We have worked stubbornly to build an alternative to the right. The number of members has grown (the 2024 membership card will be dedicated to Enrico Berlinguer, ed.) and the 2×1000 has grown. The Democratic Party is a healthy party, the first party in many municipalities”, he says clearly. Of course, what happened in Puglia cannot be kept quiet. «I asked Emiliano for a clear and profound renewal – he insists – We are focused on the objective: to prevent wrong and transformative interests from entering. They must find the doors closed and sealed. We were already working on it before, we will continue to do so”, he explains. As for the duel underway in Bari with the M5S over the mayoral candidate, Schlein refers the ball to the comparison between the two names on the field: Vito Leccese, supported by the Democratic Party, and Michele Laforgia, supported by the Five Star Movement. The former magistrate and former centre-left parliamentarian Nicola Colaianni, identified as a possible third figure to heal the rift, in fact, took a step back: «I have found that, despite the substantial ideal and programmatic convergence, rigidities remain which do not make a settlement possible “, explains. The confrontation, the Sherpas explain, is still ongoing. «We are with Vito Leccese, a mirrored and capable person – insists Schlein – I told him that we are with him even if he still wants to try a unified path». Meanwhile, following the investigation by the prosecutor’s office, Decaro revoked the delegation of the budget councilor following Alessandro D’Adamo. «Every statement I make regarding Puglia is exploited, they tell me I’m an opportunist, I brought a pact for legality. Now in the face of this latest judicial scandal I won’t make a statement – comments Conte – I’ll let the ruling groups of the Democratic Party make a statement.”