Vannacci, the anti-Tajani. He sends signals of détente to Meloni and irritates Forza Italia supporters. The anti-“Maranza” measure in the Council of Ministers

In Antonio Tajani’s camp, questions are beginning to be asked that go something like this: ‘But if Salvini really does go to the Ministry of the Interior, will we have to put up with ever more collusion between FdI, the League and the Vannacci supporters?’. It’s more of a spectre haunting the leadership of Forza Italia: the great replacement. Especially if future measures are anything like the anti-‘maranza’ law introduced yesterday in the Council of Ministers. Certainly very much to Vannacci’s liking. Listen to Meloni: “We’re punishing young people who think they can do as they please. Those who make mistakes pay the price.” In recent days, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary has not failed to notice the barbs flying from both sides – from Via Bellerio and from the ‘Generalissimo’ – against the ‘Azzurri’. They are guilty of preaching calm and restraint regarding the extension of the right to self-defence. To quote Laura Ravetto, a new MP for Futuro Nazionale: “Instead of seeking dialogue with us, who share the same objectives, Meloni is insisting on discussing the matter with Forza Italia, which has already stated that the proposal is unacceptable.” These words are not too dissimilar from those of Matteo Salvini, who at the same time was accusing Forza Italia members because “if anyone in the majority does not want the extension of self-defence, let them tell the Italians so”. In reality, it is the potential delay to the government’s agenda, in this pre-election year, that is casting a shadow over the party founded by Silvio Berlusconi. This is because, across a whole range of parliamentary issues, differences are emerging between the more right-wing factions and the liberal-moderate stance represented by Forza Italia. On the issue of wiretapping, in fact, Forza Italia has dug in its heels against the amendment sought by the chair of the Anti-Mafia Committee, Chiara Colosimo, which, according to Forza Italia, would lead to a reintroduction of ‘dragnet surveillance’. So much so that the text will ultimately reach the Chamber without a mandate for the rapporteur. On the electoral law, meanwhile, within Tajani’s party there is a firm conviction that they must defy the Prime Minister’s dictates and reject preferential voting in the Senate as well. This is another point of disagreement, given that the Vannacci faction (who currently have no senators and will therefore have no say there) voted in favour of preferential voting in the Chamber of Deputies and saw their amendment passed by the Meloni faction. Forza Italia senators, summoned by Tajani for a meeting next Wednesday, will also be discussing this issue.

Yesterday (before Meloni received the Governor of the Bank of Italy, Fabio Panetta, at Palazzo Chigi, and spoke with Egyptian President Al Sisi on shared issues such as the Mattei Plan and the Strait of Hormuz), the Council of Ministers, in addition to new competition rules that also affect fuel, and some contract renewals in universities and central government departments, a draft bill on the criminal liability of minors (when deemed capable of understanding and forming their own will), known as the anti-“maranza” bill, was approved. A similar proposal had also been put forward by Forza Italia, but it is clear that reintroducing it at this stage also responds to the need to address the issues of security and the rule of law. In the coming weeks, perhaps by the last Council of Ministers meeting before the parliamentary recess begins on 4 August, a new bill could be tabled concerning compensation for the families of those who have suffered harm as a result of a criminal offence. National Future has also extended an olive branch regarding the forthcoming parliamentary proceedings, referring to the possibility that their proposals on the matter might be “reconciled with any bill currently under consideration. We will consider every possible amendment and see how they vote”, Ravetto explained further. Furthermore, regarding the Delmastro case – in which minority senators on the Authorisations Committee voted against handing over the MP’s chats with Mauro Caroccia to the judicial authorities – Futuro Nazionale made it clear that “we would examine the documents”. Without any kind of pre-emptive rejection. A list of overtures, openings and signs of rapprochement that are viewed within Forza Italia with a mixture of concern and embarrassment. Not least because, even at local level, Fn has begun a ‘recruitment drive’ amongst the ranks of the ‘Azzurri’. As in Milan, where Vannacci has secured the support of Luca Bernardo, the former mayoral candidate and outgoing group leader for Forza Italia at Palazzo Marino.