Rome, 29 Aug. (LaPresse) – “Primaries are one possible way of selecting the prime minister. But our task now is to bring together all the forces opposing the government and draw up an alternative proposal to lift Italy out of the decline into which the right has dragged it. The choice of prime minister will come later, to be decided together with everyone else.” This was stated by PD leader Stefano Bonaccini in an interview with *La Repubblica*. “It’s simple common sense. If we’ve drawn up a programme together, then we can decide who leads, even through primaries. If we haven’t agreed on the blueprint, the risk is that whoever loses will then walk away because they don’t agree with the content,” he added. Francesco Piccolo, writing in *La Repubblica*, voiced the fear shared by many: primaries will only harm us. “It’s a risk that must be avoided at all costs, because what really matters in the end are the ‘secondary’ battles – that is, the contest with the right in the general election. Not least because four years ago, it was the centre-left’s irresponsible divisions that opened the doors to Palazzo Chigi for Meloni, whilst the right-wing parties had all stood united. Drawing up a programme together and signing a political pact beforehand seems to me to be essential for this reason too,” emphasises Bonaccini. “When exactly should this be done?” “When we return in September, we’ll draw up the programme together and see what happens with the electoral law. Not least because, whilst we’re having this August debate on the primaries, I’d point out that we risk having the Constitution effectively changed,” replies Bonaccini. Are you referring to the new electoral law? “Exactly. They want the winner to take it all, including the election of the next President of the Republic. Roberto Speranza and Angelo Bonelli have put forward a partisan candidate. “I respect everyone’s opinions, but our task is to challenge the right and Meloni with an alternative vision for Italy,” he concludes.
Italian Left, Bonaccini: ‘Let’s avoid causing ourselves harm – a pact first, then primaries’
Rome, 29 Aug. (LaPresse) – “Primaries are one possible way of selecting the prime minister. But our task now is to bring together all the forces opposing the government and draw up an alternative proposal to lift Italy out of the decline into which the right has dragged it. The choice of prime minister will come later, to be decided together with everyone else.” This was stated by PD leader Stefano Bonaccini in an interview with *La Repubblica*. “It’s simple common sense. If we’ve drawn up a programme together, then we can decide who leads, even through primaries. If we haven’t agreed on the blueprint, the risk is that whoever loses will then walk away because they don’t agree with the content,” he added. Francesco Piccolo, writing in *La Repubblica*, voiced the fear shared by many: primaries will only harm us. “It’s a risk that must be avoided at all costs, because what really matters in the end are the ‘secondary’ battles – that is, the contest with the right in the general election. Not least because four years ago, it was the centre-left’s irresponsible divisions that opened the doors to Palazzo Chigi for Meloni, whilst the right-wing parties had all stood united. Drawing up a programme together and signing a political pact beforehand seems to me to be essential for this reason too,” emphasises Bonaccini. “When exactly should this be done?” “When we return in September, we’ll draw up the programme together and see what happens with the electoral law. Not least because, whilst we’re having this August debate on the primaries, I’d point out that we risk having the Constitution effectively changed,” replies Bonaccini. Are you referring to the new electoral law? “Exactly. They want the winner to take it all, including the election of the next President of the Republic. Roberto Speranza and Angelo Bonelli have put forward a partisan candidate. “I respect everyone’s opinions, but our task is to challenge the right and Meloni with an alternative vision for Italy,” he concludes.