During his international mission to New York, the Foreign Secretary strikes a ‘pact’ with political forces from both the majority and the opposition to back the former Minister of Agriculture’s candidacy as the new head of the United Nations. Meanwhile, his chances are looking increasingly likely: the latest endorsement comes from India.

Progetto Civico Italia will meet in Rome on 24, 25 and 26 October to present its electoral platform. “We are ready to collect signatures; we are not concerned with parliamentary representation. Stop linking us to Conte – we are different. Renzi? He’s part of the broad coalition, but we are something new.”

To get round the ‘anti-faction’ rule, Rome’s Councillor for Sport is seeking representation in Parliament. He has asked the broad coalition for three MPs, but that is not enough: a party symbol must be submitted by 2022. And the leader of Centro Democratico, who previously supported Bonino and Di Maio, is backing out this time

Female MPs from the opposition gathered in the Sala Garibaldi at Palazzo Madama to protest against the Foreign Secretary’s comments on skirt lengths: “This is an act of freedom,” said Raffaella Paita

The founder of Progetto Civico has had a change of heart: two days ago, at the rally organised outside the Senate, he had said he was opposed to this idea: “” Today, however, it is he who is asking the parties across the political spectrum to provide him with MPs to form a parliamentary group. The aim: to collect fewer signatures in order to stand in the elections

The president of the Lazio region defends those under investigation in the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office inquiry, which alleges a plot to oust the president of SS: “I don’t think Masi, Maiolini and Bisignani are involved.” He goes on to say: “I would go back to the demonstration on 2 July. Lotito is incapable of communicating with the fans.”

A civic initiative is spearheading the protest against the mass petition against ‘cespugli’ and rallying a broad coalition outside the Senate. ‘A fraudulent law, protecting the establishment’. Appeals to the Constitutional Court are ready. There are also flags from Rifondazione Comunista, whilst Francesco Boccia is there representing the PD. But the battle for the centre, ahead of the coalition primaries, is fuelling tensions. There is acrimony between IV and the Movement.

At the demonstration against the definition of the IHRA contained in the bill under discussion in the Chamber of Deputies, flags of terrorist organisations from Lebanon and Palestine are being waved, alongside that of Iran. Tensions arise with those present. MPs from the broad coalition make a hasty retreat

At the Green Alliance and Left party rally, ‘the alternative’ gathers, though it remains without a programme or a leader. From the crowd, people shout: ‘Get a move on!’, in thick Roman dialect. Surprise: the Greens like Silvia Salis