There is one thing that seemed impossible and that the approval of the law on differentiated autonomy has instead achieved overnight: the compactness of the oppositions. But precisely all the oppositions, from Avs to Action. The Democrats took the lead. Francesco Bocciapresident of the senators, took to the field: «The Democratic Party, together with the other oppositions, movements and civil society, is ready to immediately collect signatures for a referendum against the “split-Italy”, a measure that will certainly be rejected.”
Soon after it is Matteo Renzi (Italia viva), in a sort of historical nemesis, to launch his challenge: «I will ask the others two hundred thousand people who put my name on the ballot paper to sign the repeal referendum against Differentiated Autonomy. A measure that is institutional madness.” The opposition all agree: that referendum must be held and the collection of signatures must be as fast as possible. They all spent a night that turned into a nightmare. But when morning came they were already ready on the barricades.
Giuseppe Conte, speaking for his Five Star Movement, has the same tone as the others: «They are splitting Italy under cover of darkness. But we will continue to fight them in every way: in Parliament and in the streets.” Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democrats, had already shouted in the Chamber before the majority numbers allowed the law to be approved. But in the morning she struggles to contain her anger. «They kept us in Parliament all night just to approve differentiated autonomy and brandish the scalp of the South before the runoffs. And so Fratelli d’Italia bows to the ancient secessionist dream of the League. I would suggest that at this point they change the name to Brandelli d’Italia. O Brothers of half of Italy, since they are splitting it in two.”
Among the opposition there is Riccardo Magi, secretary of +Europa, who is perhaps the most expert of all on the subject of referendums. It was his amendment that made digital signatures legal for referendums. And now he claims: «The government must finally make the platform for collecting digital signatures accessible, the law has provided for this for over two years». Angelo Bonelli and Nicola Fratoianni, leaders of the Green-Left Alliance, speak with one voice and relaunch unity in defense of the Constitution. Bonelli: «It is urgent to keep the far right out of the EU and unmask the hypocrisy of the Italian right, which tolerates references to Nazi-fascism.». Fratoianni: «We as oppositions will have other tools to oppose the “split-Italy”, we will do it outside Parliament». The voice of does not come from Action Carlo Calenda, but unofficial but decisive declarations from the leaders: «Action is ready to join the referendum battle». Then there is a note from Stefano Bonaccini, governor of Emilia-Romagna: «I am amazed by the deafening silence of the right-wing governors of the South, but also of that of the mayors and parliamentarians».
