Conte at lunch with Schlein: “The M5S’s position on Kyiv remains unchanged, but I respect that of the PD”

“On Ukraine, I have said and repeated the same things over the last few days that I and the Five Star Movement have been saying for the past four years.” Giuseppe Conte is thus attempting to defuse the situation following the furore caused by his comments on Ukraine on Sunday. The leader of the Five Star Movement, approached by reporters at Montecitorio, plays down the issue that has stirred up the broader political camp over the last few hours with a resounding “we’ve always said that”. He explains: “Our position is still the same, but we respect that of the Democratic Party” (and rightly so).

They met for lunch with Elly Schlein (who, in the only comment dedicated to the issue yesterday, did not mention Ukraine, but only the primaries), but “a lunch arranged last week”. Conte explains that “political debate continues, but with mutual respect”. And he adds nothing further.

Over the course of yesterday and today, there have been several comments from PD representatives who have lashed out at the former prime minister’s remarks. Lorenzo Guerini, speaking to Il Foglio, explained that “it is now urgent to clarify the alliance”.

The parties are looking to September as the time to start putting their programme together in practical terms (which will be done before any primaries take place). In the meantime, however, they have managed to reach an agreement on the resolutions ahead of tomorrow’s statements by Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Minister for the Economy, who will report to the Chamber on European flexibility regarding defence and energy. The political parties have tabled a single text signed by the M5S, the PD and the AVS. Italia Viva remains on the sidelines once again today.