Zanda: “When Schlein and Conte say ‘we’re ready’, they’re being ridiculous. But they could win the election”

 His remarks are almost a provocation. “When Schlein and Conte say ‘we’re ready, it’s our turn’, they’re being ridiculous. But they might be right. Not because the centre-left will win the elections, but because the centre-right is preparing to lose them,” says Luigi Zanda. The former Democratic Party treasurer speaks to Il Foglio, pondering the fate of the broad coalition and the arduous task of building an alliance “that takes too many photos and does too little politics”. And it has never decided to tackle the major issue of our times: foreign policy. “A clear mistake, one that will be irreparable within a few months.” Not to mention the issue of leadership: “Primaries are proper elections, to be held under proper rules. The next parliamentary term will be an extremely tough one, but I get the impression that Schlein and Conte haven’t realised that what’s at stake isn’t just ousting Meloni but the governance of Italy.” 

Zanda makes a preliminary remark: “I am a member of the PD, I will vote for the centre-left and I will encourage others to do so, even though Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte struggle to describe themselves as left-wing, preferring to call themselves progressives”. It is a preface, but also a warning to the leader of the party she helped to found: “I believe the PD secretary must always remember with pride that hers is a centre-left party; anyone can call themselves a progressive. It’s just a way of attracting voters.”

The broad coalition, buoyed by the March referendum and the polls, is convinced it will reach Palazzo Chigi: “We’re ready,” the leaders repeat. Are they really? “There’s too much photo-opportunism and not enough politics,” Zanda reiterates. “In just a few days, we’ve gone from being stubbornly united to a ‘programme in September’. Now they’re saying ‘it’s our turn’. But a fundamental problem remains.” Which one? “To avoid upsetting the relationship between the PD and the M5S, foreign policy has never been discussed – as became clear at the rally in Naples or in the European Parliament, where everyone votes differently.” Even on rearmament, despite a basic consensus, the PD and the M5S strike different tones. “Many arguments can be made against defence spending, but to say it’s unnecessary because Putin is good, whilst Ukraine is bad simply because it won’t give in, is pure Putinism.” Is there still time for the parties to clarify matters? “Having waited four years is an irreparable mistake. I hope that, at least on the rest of the programme, we can move beyond the headlines and clearly set out how the objectives can be achieved. The reference to the Constitution, and its spirit, is necessary, but it is not enough. As for the rest, for now I see only slogans and few practical solutions,” observes Zanda. He then continues: “A friend of mine who’s an entrepreneur told me he won’t be voting, because both the left and the right have failed economically when they’ve been in government. He asked me: ‘Why should I think they won’t fail again?’”

This is yet another reason why the former Democratic Party leader is warning of the challenges ahead, which will require a political response that is up to the task. “The next parliamentary term will be an extremely tough one, with a stagnant economy, two coalitions divided internally over foreign policy, and international alliances hanging on Trump’s whims. What’s more, I wouldn’t be surprised if Vannacci had a few friends outside Italy. Our country is a battleground for hybrid warfare and espionage.” But that’s not all, the Democratic Party representative adds: “We’re coming off the back of five years that will backfire on Meloni. The government hasn’t solved a single problem, from healthcare to prisons and, above all, the economy.” On the other hand, the Prime Minister could push through a new electoral law and set her sights on the Quirinale. “I would advise Meloni and La Russa not to stand for the Quirinale; the rebels who appeared in the Chamber of Deputies ten days ago are just a taste of what could happen at the Quirinale. And besides, those who change the electoral law usually lose the elections, as has already happened to Berlusconi and Renzi.”

It would be even easier for the opposition if it could finally define its scope and find its leadership. Zanda believes that broadening the base is important: “But the centre has so far been fragmented into a thousand pieces, and time is not infinite – it is running out.” And what about leadership? “It’s a battle that is killing the centre-left. Thinking of Conte and Schlein, the story of King Solomon and the two mothers comes to mind. The first of the two leaders to step down will have shown that they know how to behave in the most difficult moments, that they have understood what is at stake.” Has the time come for primaries? “Yes, but primaries are proper elections, to be held according to proper rules. We cannot risk them being influenced from outside.” For Zanda, however, there is a deeper problem that no polling booth can resolve: “Schlein and Conte are not leaders; they are party bosses. Leaders make their mark through charisma and political vision – qualities they lack. However, there is a major difference between the two.” What are you referring to? “Schlein fails to realise that the former prime minister is eating into large swathes of the PD. With daily provocations to which the party leader never responds.” And what if a third candidate were to emerge – the much-talked-about unifier of the broad coalition? “That’s a path that should have been forged in good time. Today we’d have to choose a candidate lacking in charisma; are we sure they’d get voters to the polls? Faced with such a solution, Meloni would be popping the champagne.”

Among the centre-left’s other shortcomings is its inability to convey a sense of security, whilst the issue is once again taking centre stage in the wake of recent news stories. “On the issue of security, the PD has been timid in recent decades; it has never made it a defining issue for the party, but at least it has taken it seriously and has never exploited high-profile news stories for electoral gain, as the right is doing with the Roggero case.”