Bonelli: “We’ll have our own candidate in the primaries. We’ll be competitive. We can win them”

Angelo Bonelli repeats it time and again; it’s a sort of summer mantra: “The programme comes first, then everything else”. The primaries? “It was absolutely wrong to propose them so soon after the referendum on the justice system. We’re convinced that a political compromise can be found.” The leader of AVS is sending messages to the broader political camp, to the rivals Schlein and Conte. He has been working for some time to bridge the divides. “And to restore the priority: not leadership, but defeating Meloni, and setting out what we want to do for Italy”. Yet a consensus is still a long way off, whilst the party booths – barring any last-minute changes of heart or unexpected defections – are looking increasingly likely. “In that case, we’ll put forward our own proposal, and I can assure you it would be competitive”. Competitive enough to win the primaries? “Why not?”.

Bonelli has been saying this for days; he is ‘irritated’ by certain attitudes among his allies, who are far too rebellious. ‘The vast majority of Italians don’t understand this debate about leadership. Neither do I. Do you know what people ask me when I take the bus?’ Tell us. “Agree on what you want to do,” emphasises the leader of the Green-Left Alliance, alongside Nicola Fratoianni, “with whom I’m always very much on the same wavelength”. For the Green-Left Alliance, therefore, the focus is on the issues. “The reversal of priorities hasn’t done the coalition any favours. But now let’s make an effort to come up with strong, concrete proposals on the major issues.” Where do we start? “For example, with a fairer tax system, in the face of growing poverty that Giorgia Meloni is trying to hide through propaganda and her control of public television. But the economic and social crisis is plain for all to see,” replies Bonelli, pointing out “the serious shortcomings of our public transport and healthcare systems, which will require action”. With what resources? A wealth tax? Not everyone is in favour of that. “Conte and Renzi disagree – fine. Let’s call it a ‘solidarity levy’, to be levied exclusively on super-billionaires. That way, we could also overcome the objections of the Constitutional Court.” Not only that, Bonelli continues: “We are faced with a right-wing that denies climate change, whilst our rivers are running dry, causing billions of euros’ worth of damage to agriculture. This is yet another reason why we need a grand progressive, pacifist and environmentalist alliance.”

The biggest sticking point remains that of foreign policy, and it will not be easy to resolve, particularly if it were to become (as Conte said) an issue on which to compete in the primaries. “Yesterday, the leader of the M5S made an important clarification, namely that whoever leads the coalition must adhere to the programme. There will be no leader,” Bonelli assures us. “That said, for AVS, the top priority is the reconstruction of international law, which has been destroyed by Putin, Netanyahu and Trump. But also by the complicit silence of Meloni and Tajani. We are all in agreement – including the PD – on opposing the rearmament of individual states and the increase in military spending to 5 per cent. As for the Middle East, we have already worked together in Parliament.” Ukraine, however – or rather, military support for Kyiv – continues to divide the left. It is a decisive issue that could derail the talks. “We have always said that Putin’s invasion is a criminal act. But after four years, Europe must take a strong diplomatic initiative. On this basis, we will find a solution with our allies. To think that there could be a military victory for one side or the other is, frankly, an illusion. The CIA says so too.”

And yet, were it not for military aid, Putin would probably have already prevailed. “Fuelling the escalation is not a solution, after millions of deaths. We are in favour of sanctions, of using Russian assets for Ukraine, and of financial and humanitarian support for Kyiv,” retorts Bonelli. Before launching his attack: “The accusation that we are ‘Putinists’, levelled at us by figures such as Calenda, is unacceptable. As a minister, with Crimea already invaded, he went to St Petersburg to explain that we need to maintain relations with Russia. It’s legitimate to change one’s mind, but he shouldn’t be lecturing us, especially as he himself has changed his position a thousand times over the years.” The leader of Azione also maintains that the election will ultimately result in a dead heat. “It’s a statement that follows a simple logic: Calenda is Meloni’s real crutch; he wants to split the broad coalition. AVS, PD and M5S alone account for almost 42 per cent,” Bonelli calculates. However, something is still missing: the centrists, whose numbers are growing daily, from Matteo Renzi to Alessandro Onorato and beyond. According to Goffredo Bettini, who told Il Foglio that Silvia Salis should give impetus to another political force capable of further broadening the centre-left’s support base. What does Bonelli think? “I am committed to strengthening the role of AVS to tackle issues of social justice and climate change. I’m not in the business of organising other people’s camps. That said, if Salis wishes to embark on this venture, her contribution is welcome, as is that of everyone else in the centre. It is essential, however, that everything is brought under the umbrella of a common programme, which no one can think of changing should she win the primaries.” We’re back at the campaign stalls, and Bonelli, before saying goodbye, wants to reiterate this once more: “I’m not the right solution. AVS will work towards a common solution.” What if that doesn’t happen? “We’ll establish clear rules, and there’s no doubt that in that case we’ll put forward our own candidate.” The Green leader doesn’t want to name names. “But I can assure you he’ll be a very strong contender.”