Bignami (FdI) says: "Scalfaro? He’s divisive. Conte is eating away at the PD"

The row, the controversy, has not subsided. The opposition is on the offensive. Galeazzo Bignami, would you repeat those words about Scalfaro, the Head of State who allegedly ‘freed 300 mafia members’? ‘Let’s leave the Presidency of the Republic out of it. Let’s talk about Oscar Luigi Scalfaro himself: he was a divisive figure,” replies the FdI group leader. Will the Meloni loyalist go one better? “It’s a matter of fact, ever since the fall of the first Berlusconi government. I also recall his famous ‘I’m not having any of it’ after Tangentopoli. I don’t think I’ve said anything surprising.”

Bignami continues, reiterating: “Nothing surprising, unless someone believes that anyone who has held an institutional role must be defended regardless. The very people attacking me are the same ones who called for Cossiga’s impeachment.” This is, however, a serious accusation – which many consider to be false – made during the parliamentary debate on Delmastro’s chat. “Let me clarify.” Please do. “I was responding to those who were asking us to stop talking about Borsellino. And I pointed out that Scalfaro, backed by the left, was the alternative to Borsellino, for whom we – alongside the then MSI – voted. Unlike others, we also take responsibility for our defeats. Had he been elected, he would not have died and would have fought just battles for Italy; the history of this country would have been different,” insists the FdI group leader, perhaps alluding, too, to the view of Indro Montanelli, who wrote that it was “a thousand kilos of TNT”, rather than the electors, that had favoured Scalfaro’s election.

“I do have one regret, though.” What do you mean? “Not having reminded Conte, in the Chamber, about the mafia members released by his Justice Minister, Alfonso Bonafede.” Yesterday you had another opportunity to reignite the clash in the Covid committee: according to Conte, that body is nothing more than a political weapon created specifically to target him, without shedding any light on the regions’ actions. “The leader of the M5S is plagued by egocentricity. The work carried out by the committee is required by international health regulations; it’s called ‘post-action review’. It’s a legal obligation. But for him, it’s a conspiracy. We simply want to establish the truth, to understand whether anyone has taken advantage of their position to line their pockets, hiding behind the emergency.”

Let’s move on to the majority: on Wednesday, during the NEC meeting on the budget deviation for energy and defence, there was some friction. The League dug its heels in, demanding amendments to the passage relating to SAFE and threatening not to vote. “We were happy with the resolution before and we voted for it afterwards too. The substance has remained unchanged.” However, that European loan, which is also to be used for arms, could become a problem. Crosetto and Salvini do not seem to see it in exactly the same way. "SAFE," says Bignami, "is a tool at our disposal and, depending on how events unfold, we will decide how to use it, as is, in fact, stated in the majority resolution. It is the opposition that has split once again. What has happened within the PD is symptomatic of the fact that Conte is eating away at the Democratic Party. They are stirring up controversy to hide their own inadequacy."

However, there are issues to be clarified in your part of the country too. As well as mounting tensions – from the League to Forza Italia, over various measures – there is Roberto Vannacci, who is rising in the polls and putting pressure on the government, even bringing Parliament to a standstill, as happened during the debate on the Safe bill. He could prove decisive in the next elections; does that worry you? “I believe that Futuro Nazionale needs visibility, given their political marginalisation. But next year, the real choice will be between Meloni and Schlein.” So, in short, you’re banking on the ‘useful vote’. “Certainly, in the sense,” explains Bignami, “that a vote for FdI is a tactical vote to prevent Italy from becoming a giant Ceuta, or from reopening its borders at a cost of over 5 billion a year on immigration, for example.” These are positions that even the Futurists support. Common ground does not seem impossible, and Vannacci says he is waiting for a call from Meloni. Does Bignami rule out an alliance? “Even two days ago, on the Justice Decree, they voted against the motion of confidence. And it’s not the first time. It’s like asking Avs if they’d be willing to form a government with Meloni,” smiles the group leader, explaining that Vannacci “uses opinion polls – which are of relatively little value – and certain sections of the press to gain attention”.

Meanwhile, the majority has reached – or so it seems – an agreement on the electoral law, covering preferential voting and gender alternation. “And we are satisfied with this; it is a law that will bring stability, in the interests of Italians. There will be no more political manoeuvring, which some are already thinking about.” But after the amendments in the Senate – where votes will be open – it will have to go back to the Chamber of Deputies. The first attempt, with preferential voting, did not go well. Within Forza Italia, for example, some are already voicing their discontent. “Last time, the amendment was tabled only by FdI and Noi Moderati. Today,” concludes Bignami, “it seems to me that there is a broad agreement across the entire coalition. I have no reason to be concerned.”