Of
Adriana Logroscino
Conte on social media: it seems like a circus, but it’s not funny
«Meloni disaster». The deputies of the Democratic Party raise their signs a moment before the vote on the budget. Stop, immediately, by the shop assistants already alerted and deployed. The «disaster», in the summary of Elly Schlein, who intervenes for the Democratic Party in the explanations of vote, is «a wrong, austerity maneuver of betrayed promises and cuts, which does not intervene on wages, among the lowest in Europe, but helps the rich. Nobody believes you anymore.”
Criticism rains down from all opposition forces. Riccardo Magi of +Europa focuses on the method, on the very tight deadlines for examining the budget law. Thus he stands out in the protest by holding up a sign with the word “for sale” written on it: he refers, he explains, to the same Chamber that is “disempowered and liquidated”. Nicola Fratoianni of Avs highlights what is missing among the approved measures: «Nothing about the housing emergency, nothing for tens of thousands of researchers who you could have stabilized. It is a budget law that provides no answers and condemns us to a hopeless future.”
Giuseppe Conte, who enters the Chamber only to vote, he entrusts the declaration of the 5 Star Movement to Daniela Torto, but then on social media he focuses attention on the contradictions of the majority to conclude bitterly: “It seems like a circus but unfortunately it’s reality and it’s not funny.” He predicts a failure for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi: «The maneuver increases fiscal pressure and debt. And it doesn’t help young people. This time the prime minister won’t be able to turn the tables.”
Schlein, as well as in the Chamber where a question and answer takes place remotely with Giorgia Meloni, he speaks in Transatlantico, then outside, in Piazza Montecitorio. He hasn’t shown this much desire to chat with journalists in a long time. It focuses on the Maneuver, inevitably, but it covers everything. Of the referendum on justice he maintains: «Meloni is in a hurry to set the date because he is afraid, he knows that every week the No is gaining ground, it has already happened to Renzi».
On the reform of the electoral law he attacks: «If theirs is such a stable government, why change it? They know that now that we are united, they won’t get those numbers, I’m happy that they recognize my work.” But he also says something about the internal challenge in the wide field, vindicating the strategy. Here the answer is to the last one who expressed doubts on the PD’s ability to defeat the government: the mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi.
«Actually we have already beaten him. In Campania, with the contribution of Manfredi», he replies with a smile that fades a little. He still talks to the reporters: «It gives me a bit of melancholy when spaces are emptied.” reveals to those who approach it. The atmosphere is light, playful. Lorenzo Guerini is nearby and is invited to come closer and have his say: «What the secretary says is fine with me» the former minister defends himself.
Giorgetti passes and the curtain starts: «You too benefit from the spread below 200 points», the minister counters Schlein’s criticisms with a smile. «With what you are doing on transport, school and healthcare we will have more problems – she replies -. But don’t worry, we won’t blame you.” Giorgetti spreads his arms, «I do mine», and walks away.
Schlein is defiant: «Military spending is only increasing». He reads the dynamics at home of the opponents: «The government is in difficulty, there are many signs: the row over pensions, the absence of someone (Salvini, ndr) in Council of Ministers on the weapons decree, corrections to the Maneuver”. She exudes confidence looking inside her enclosure: when asked about the distinctions of Conte, a rebellious ally, Schlein invites us to “read between the lines” of his most recent statements. As if to say that there is a compaction. Whether he believes it or feels his (internal) opponents breathing down his neck, Schlein strikes a blow. «But it’s just a Christmas pourparler, isn’t it?».
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December 31, 2025
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