Everyone bet that it would end like this. Hold on, hold on, the real duel of this campaign for the European elections will be played between the “best enemies” of Italian politics, Giorgia Meloni and Elly Schlein. Both on the field, and one against the other, in a rivalry announced and sought to the end, with all due respect to those who, against their will, will remain out of this polar clash of the strong women at the head of Fratelli d’ Italy and the Democratic Party. Like Giuseppe Conte and Matteo Salvini, who preferred to stay one step to the side, not to run, in order to risk ending up overwhelmed by the (electoral) war of Elly and Giorgia.
Two very different starts, as are the challengers in their DNA. Schlein announced his run on a Sunday morning. No coup de théâtre. The stage was the least scenic one could have imagined: a long (and tense) PD leadership, convened to announce the lists – carefully studied so as not to displease anyone, not even the “caciques and chieftains” – while the procession to the polls began in Basilicata. A completely different stage for Giovanni Donzelli, the organizational manager of FdI who was absent from the Liberation ceremonies for two days because, as he says with a bit of anxiety, “I’m setting up the stage”.
On the shores of Pescara, an electoral stronghold of the right, Giorgia Meloni will make her big announcement on Sunday morning. And it is difficult to imagine grimaces of amazement, wide-eyed eyes among the hundreds of militants who will witness the fatal moment under the maxi-stage erected on the coast, surrounded by tents of every shape and size for this Atreju “beach edition” on which the match. Yes, because the premier’s entry into the field has also been widely announced for months, and the last shiver of suspense is gone with the billboards that plastered the streets, street lamps and bus stops of Milan a week ago, with her photo in the center and an all too clear slogan: “With Giorgia”.
Everything is ready for the three days in Abruzzo. Expected in Pescara, in addition to a long succession of ministers, from Crosetto to Sangiuliano, guests from civil society, such as the uncle of Giulia Cecchettin, the girl murdered by her ex-boyfriend this winter. But for Meloni’s announcement, the day after tomorrow, the center-right’s family photo will be complete: Salvini, Tajani and Lupi, all present.
THE MATCH ON TV
It is a safe bet that from the stage, now fully involved in the electoral battle, the helmsman of the Italian right will try to skewer her arch-rival at the Nazarene. The two-way challenge that has been tempting TV viewers for months will restart here, all lining up to host the most anticipated and impactful match in Italian politics, an American-style duel, Elly vs Giorgia.
And who knows if it will happen in the end. The level playing field is putting a spoke in the wheels, which in Rai as in Mediaset and the other networks requires since last 8 April to organize balanced and pluralist debates between the party leaders competing for the EU vote. No Meloni without Fratoianni, no Schlein without Salvini, and so on. But the respective staffs do not give up, on the contrary they leak out that the TV clash will take place. Maybe not on TV, but on social networks which still ensure the thrill of live broadcasts.
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