The square against the premiership and autonomy. The square for centre-left unity. At Santi Apostoli, packed and suffocating under the African anticyclone, the flags mix and the chorus ‘unity, unity’ rises several times. Elly Schlein closes the event and responds to that request as follows from the stage: “I appeal to all opposition forces: no more divisions. Let us hold on to our differences which are precious”, but “let us be ready, united and compact”.
In the historic Piazza dell’Ulivo there is no group photo on stage but, at least for one day, in the back there are all hugs, handshakes and small groups between the opposition leaders. “We love them”, shouts in Roman dialect the secretary of the Democratic Party and Giuseppe Conte who shake hands. And then Angelo Bonelli and Nicola Fratoianni, Riccardo Magi. Schlein addresses the absent centrists: “We invited everyone, we respect everyone’s choices. There is always time to broaden when the objectives are common”. Call for a “permanent mobilization” the Democratic secretary. “Next time we will be in a bigger square. This is the first but it won’t be the last.”
Fratoianni and Bonelli also push on the accelerator. “To mock us, they told us many times ‘you only join to beat the right’. Beating this right is a formidable political program, we need generosity, humility and unity. It’s possible,” says Fratoianni. Conte, much applauded when he goes on stage, speaks of a “united response” in the face of the majority’s aggression towards the grillino Leonardo Donno and of “united battles” which are “always welcome”. And he adds: “My presence here? It’s nothing new. It’s not like you get up in the morning and change your location.” He had also reiterated this shortly before to reporters in the Chamber. On the reference to the origins of the ‘neither right nor left’ movement made by Virginia Raggi, Conte responds: “If does the 5 Star camp remain the progressive camp? Absolutely. If anyone has right-wing inclinations, they must draw the consequences.”.
There is also Vincenzo De Luca in the square. He claims to have been the first to bring 5,000 people to demonstrate in Rome against autonomy. “Today I see more awareness.” There are parliamentarians from all oppositions. The newly elected in Europe as ‘mister 500 thousand preferences’ Antonio Decaro who follows the demonstration among the people in the square with the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. There is the entire M5S group arriving on foot with Conte. The M5S leader next to him holds the ‘attacked’ Leonardo Donno with his little son wrapped in the tricolor in his arms. There are the Anpi, the Acli, the Arci. Like in the olive squares of times gone by. And some exponents of that season also appear such as Franco Giordano and Gavino Angius.
The senators returning from the first yes to the premiership arrive in the square. “The right – says Schlein – has always dreamed of dismantling the parliamentary republic for the sole man or woman in command, but we have already given: we are in the streets because we are all anti-fascists”. And then Conte: “We won’t allow it. The institutions cannot be reduced to ‘Casa Meloni’ with brother-in-law, friends and a crowd of yes men.” Magi is already looking to the referendum: “Let’s challenge Meloni”. And De Luca predicts without hesitation: “Meloni loses the referendum”. And therefore autonomy, or rather Spacca Italia as the opposition has renamed it. Schlein speaks of Meloni as a “self-styled patriot” who divides the country. And then Bonelli: “Meloni sold the South to Salvini. We must be united to build an alternative that sends Meloni into the opposition.”
There is also a lot of talk about the Fanpage investigation. And here Schlein presses Meloni again: “What are you waiting for to chase them away? Those images have gone around the world.” And Magi: ”What is Meloni waiting for to condemn the fact that National Youth, the youth of the first majority party, is holding neo-Nazi rallies shouting ‘Duce Duce’? We have not heard a word of condemnation or to dissociate ourselves”. Bonelli: “You are the shame of Italy”. And Conte recommends reading to the young people of Fdi: “‘Meloni, buy these kids a Constitution and a good history manual”.
