WHO WIN
Meloni and Schlein are undoubtedly the winners of these Europeans. Meloni in particular, because growing consensus after two years of government in such troubled waters certainly represents a “unique”. With these numbers, the head of Fdi assumes the role of dominus of the political framework, and will have an easy time accelerating the most important government practices, such as the premiership. The approach to the electoral campaign based on the challenge between women worked, and Elly Schlein can breathe a sigh of relief and play a round of guitar chords: the internal branches of the Democratic Party are sheathing their swords for the moment. Even if the affirmation of the Democratic Party risks being a double-edged sword in view of future alliances, given that it was largely achieved at the expense of the Five Star Movement, i.e. those who in theory should be the future allies in the next political elections. And the road to the wide field risks becoming even more bumpy.
The other big winner is Forza Italia. It’s as if Silvio Berlusconi continues to get votes from up there. But obviously the credit goes to Tajani’s leadership who was able to respond to the Italian electorate’s request for moderation, in a phase of extremes in political life. They thought they were dead, the Forza Italia supporters, and instead they are experiencing a new electoral youth. Finally, certainly brilliant data for the Fratoianni-Bonanni couple, who on the ashes of the five-star glories, reconstruct a left front that had been disarmed for some time, with Ilaria Salis acting as standard-bearer.
WHO LOSES
The defeat has the face of Giuseppe Conte, who spoke to the press late at night and defined the electoral result as “disappointing”. But disappointing is an understatement. We are far from the safety threshold, considering that five years ago the Five Star Movement took 17% of the votes. The abstention in the South, the movement’s stronghold, had an impact, but perhaps also a political line entirely based on pacifism and welfare, which is showing its rope. Who knows Beppe Grillo what sweet words he may have uttered last night towards the management of his political creature. Meanwhile, Conte must choose whether to relaunch himself by throwing himself to the left or surrender to the wide field with a PD protagonist and him relegated to the role of extra. And in addition, the Five Star leader must keep the various Di Battista and Raggi at bay, ready to crumple his pocketbook and steal his leadership in his moment of weakness.
For Salvini it is a bitter draw. The objective of getting one more vote in the policies seems to have been achieved by a whisker, but the League loses its place as the second party in the coalition, and this will weigh on the future strategic choices (and appointments) of the centre-right. Vannacci’s choice paid off, but at the cost of discontent in the party which is now clear for all to see. The “slap” from founder Umberto Bossi, who chose not to vote for Lega, marks a watershed, and the journey towards the next policies, for Salvini, will be stormy.
Lastly, the “little ones” who remain outside the European Parliament. Renzi confirms himself incapable of gaining votes due to manifest antipathy, but perhaps he will be able to gnaw at a prestigious seat in Brussels. The others? Not received.
