«Dear Francesco, I have very clear ideas: starting again with a congress that is free, open, a contestable party». Signed Matteo Renzi, letter to Francesco Colucci, 81 years old, a long-time Lucca politician (he was also a regional councilor of the PSI). After the electoral defeat, Renzi therefore seems to have clear ideas. His party friends are a little fewer. Starting with Colucci himself, who wrote to Renzi: «Too many “orphans of the Democratic Party” in our ranks, too many who continue to say “we are left-wing”, a word that must be banned from our communication”. Precisely on the day in which the regional vice president Stefania Saccardi announced her vote for Sara Funaro in the runoff: «The field in which I played has never been in question, it is that of the center-left».
Right left. And then there is the Center. A sort of promised land for the Renzians-reformists-third politicians. «Always in a stubborn and contrary direction. In absolute autonomy. Without the need to declare where to place yourself as a matter of priority. Don’t propose yourself but be requested”, this is the idea of the Center proposed by the economist Luciano Pallini. But is there still electoral space for the Centre? What do the electoral flows say after the vote on June 9th? The political scientist Marco Valbruzzi, professor of Political Science at Federico II University, says: «There is a space, of around 15-20%, but forced into two bipolar coalitions in the process of radicalisation. The specific weight of the center increases if it enters the two coalitions. Outside it collapses sharply.”
So we return, like it or not, to the starting point: right, left. And to the choice of Saccardi, who after having obtained a modest 7.3% as a candidate for mayor of Florence for Italia Viva – if compared to the polls, but not according to her – was “invited” to support Funaro in next Sunday’s run-off . «I expect from Stefania Saccardi, as soon as possible, a clear indication for Sara Funaro, strong support», was the peremptory ultimatum of the President of the Region Eugenio Giani.
Saccardi said yes, perhaps an inevitable choice for Saccardi, he reasons the economist Mauro Grassi, candidate on the Renzian list: «The united Center could have had a compact 20% to assert: 37 Funaro, 34 Schmidt and 20 us. Another world”. But this was not the case and now the big crossroads presents itself: what to do in the run-off? And then? «Politically I don’t recognize myself in any of the duelists. I’ll see”, replies Grassi. But the problem goes beyond the borders of Florence, it touches those of Basilicata, where Renzi has aligned his side with the centre-right, and beyond: after the vote there is a lost, confused party.
Instead he sides with Saccardi Andrea Marcucciformer leader of the Democratic Party in the Senate and now leader of the Lib Dems: «Between the centre-left and the centre-right, in Florence, I have no doubts. My advice to the Florentine voters who voted for Stefania Saccardi in the first round is to choose Sara Funaro without doubt and without hesitation.” This is echoed by Gabriele Toccafondi, former deputy and undersecretary, former PDL, now in Italia Viva: «I am convinced that the reformist coalition is necessary against populists and sovereignists. I live in Sesto, but in Florence I would vote for Funaro.”
In the end Massimo Mattei. After a long reflection on Facebook, between feelings and politics – the highlight is the memory of when in the section of his PCI we discussed world peace and at the same time the pavement to be renovated – he tells us: «The center? I believe that further investigation is needed. Brutal and without discounts. I will vote Funaro. But without any enthusiasm.”
Then there are the militants arguing on social networks as it used to be done in section. Dazed, disappointed and angry. Post by Fabrizio Ricci, former city councilor, devout Renzian. «Today I saw things I never wanted to see. It’s over for me…”, he writes bitterly. The reference seems to be aimed at Saccardi’s choice of field. Many instead write: “I will vote for Schmidt on Sunday.” Already, in the center. But looking left and right.
