Ruggiero Montenegro

The former prime minister is launching his magazine, dedicated to cities, alongside mayors from across the political spectrum. They would like to avoid a head-to-head contest between the PD and the M5S, whilst differences over foreign policy are deepening. The event organised by the Franceschini-Orlando-Speranza faction has been postponed.

The event organised by Franceschini, Orlando and Speranza had been scheduled to take place at the same time as Matteo Renzi’s Leopolda conference in Florence. The debate on the electoral law, due to be debated in the Chamber of Deputies on 28 September, also played a part in the decision.

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.

The amendment making it more difficult for new parties to collect signatures is causing a stir across the political spectrum. And Progetto Civico is spearheading the protest. Meanwhile, at the Festa dell’Unità, the leader of IV sends a signal to the centre: “IV has the signatures and we are willing to be represented by someone other than myself. A mayor to sit at the programme negotiating table.”

The former prime minister is fine-tuning his next moves and preparing for the Leopolda conference. Meanwhile, he is returning to the national Democratic Party gathering, which he has not attended since 2018. “To reach 42 per cent for the centre-left, we need Italia Viva.” The role of the mayor of Genoa, whilst the other reformist and liberal faction attempts to organise itself

At the red-green rally, opposition leaders demonstrated unity and issued a challenge to Meloni: “There is an alternative.” Policy was discussed, but the leadership issue remains. The Schlein–Conte rivalry has shifted to the centre, while Renzi divided the coalition.

The election in Saxony, the ‘black threat’, is uniting the left, which is gathering today on the stage at Avs in Rome. But within the opposition, analysis of the election results is dividing opinion, whilst the Movement’s close ties to Sahra Wagenknecht come to mind – ties that could now lend a hand to the AfD.

The Roman councillor takes the field (in a big way): “We’ll be there for the primaries. We’ll set out our programme and manifesto straight away. We want to reclaim the issues that the centre-left has culpably ceded to the right. Starting with security: we need more prisons.” The proposal on nurseries