Renzi time: “Vannacci is a pain in the neck. Calenda isn’t interesting”

Renzi’s afternoon break. In the south, people take a siesta, and in the Senate, at 3 pm, Renzi is having a party. Vannacci? “He’s Meloni’s pain in the arse.” Salvini? “A walking piece of fake news. The only thing on schedule is his ambition to get to the Ministry of the Interior.” Dear Renzi, Schlein told editor Claudio Cerasa in Il Foglio that she wants Calenda in the coalition. Calenda – yes or no? “I don’t veto anyone; I want everyone. But as Dario Franceschini says (imitating his voice), Calenda only becomes interesting in the last 24 hours before the candidate lists are submitted. Calenda’s not worth bothering with; he’s not interesting. I’m in politics, whilst Calenda’s out there kissing people.” Calenda’s kiss? “Remember when he kissed Enrico Letta and then broke off the alliance 24 hours later? After the kiss of Judas, we have Carlo’s kiss. Besides, I mean: how can you side with Calenda, someone who says he wants to destroy the 5S?” Will Vannacci join the coalition with Salvini, Meloni and Tajani? “If the electoral law doesn’t pass, there’s a serious risk that Meloni will team up with Vannacci and drop Tajani. Vannacci stands to become deputy prime minister.”

Is Meloni taking him on? “Meloni’s getting worked up; she’s a stickler, but ultimately I reckon Vannacci will side with the centre-right. He’s already caused chaos.” The sporting challenge you set Vannacci: will you be taking it on? “I’m just having a bit of fun. The challenge came about during the ‘Partita del Cuore’. My people say: ‘Forget it.’ Those who follow Vannacci are egging him on: ‘Come on, General, give Renzi a proper…’”. Will there be a third candidate from the left to lead the coalition? “Conte and Schlein will decide that. But in the PD, look, nobody has the guts to challenge Elly. They’re scared stiff. They’re afraid of not being re-nominated. Anyone who goes against her is an abstract entity.” So will the electoral law go ahead? “As far as I’m concerned, it will. It’ll pass in the Senate; La Russa will see to it. We need to see what Stefania Craxi will do.” Will Tajani oppose it in the name of the Berlusconi family? “Colleagues, what are we discussing? We’re talking about Tajani, an individual who, at the most critical moment in diplomacy – during a war – advised people to close their windows. Tajani is Tajani.” A kiss from Renzi: “Ah, who’s Calenda having a dispute with now?”