“Ranucci? Now the left must do an about-turn.” Says Borghi (Iv)

No hard feelings. As Matteo Renzi said, for those who champion due process, it’s time to put on their glasses and enjoy the eclipse (centred on Sigfrido Ranucci). “Let’s imagine if a Martian were to land on Earth tomorrow,” interjects Enrico Borghi, a senator for Italia Viva. “He’d witness the spectacle of a public figure’s friend, with repeated phone calls between the two, confidences, and discussions about storylines to be featured on television. And then that very same friend, driven by an excess of love for him, would have plotted an attack to turn him into a victim and boost his popularity. So the Martian would say: ‘Excellent material for a new episode of Report’.” Sure to be a prime-time hit. “It’s a pity that in the Italy of “The Leopard”, however, things end up in a shambles, with the ‘Savonarola of the airwaves’ caught up in the affair. According to the prosecution, he is unaware of Lavitola’s actions; Lavitola, in turn, is defended by a lawyer who is a long-standing figure on the right. So we want to believe – as staunch defenders of due process as we always are – that the capable magistrates will get to the bottom of this murky affair.”

And in the meantime, enough of the mudslinging. Or is that asking too much? “Ranucci is innocent until proven guilty,” the MP reiterates. “I do wonder, though, what would have happened to any politician with a friend like Lavitola. Shall we recall the mind-boggling motorway service station story?” That was when Renzi found himself in the eye of the storm, again due to Report’s ‘scoop’. “The truth about the motorway service station incident has yet to be revealed, and we’ll see what happens following important decisions such as the declassification of documents covered by state secrecy. The rather sensational Ranucci case highlights how, in Italy, we’re used to double standards. I’m interested in the political angle of the issue – because, for the rest, it’s been discussed far too much, for far too many days. Firstly: the weakness of the ruling class. In recent years, we have replaced politics with manufactured outrage. We no longer manage problems and processes, but at best the attention of the moment. Secondly: the right and the left must be called to order.”

What do you mean? “I’ll start with my own coalition: enough of championing the ‘Report’ method, enough of defending the demagogue of the moment. I’d advise changing the agenda. Let’s think about inadequate wages and high petrol prices. These are the problems facing Italians, who are unfortunately infected by a widespread virus of Jacobinism. It will be just like with Di Pietro: once Ranucci is gone, they’ll find a new follower to latch onto. If there is a lesson to be learnt, it is that, once again, there is no such thing as a supposedly paradisiacal civil society ready to redeem a supposedly sinful political society. By constantly belittling those involved in politics, we end up spinning out of control. The Left must open its eyes.” Nobody is doing so: from the M5S to the AVS, right through to the PD in disarray. “We’re here. If my friends in the PD return to professing and practising political autonomy – by stopping mocking those who engage in politics, and avoiding self-proclaimed saviours – the centre-left will rediscover the rule of law. As for the bloodthirsty right, which rides the wave of punitive justice according to its objectives of the day: let’s avoid the rolling heads that do nothing but strengthen Ranucci. A self-proclaimed martyr. Salvini and Gasparri are playing right into his hands more than anyone else. What is needed, if anything, is a RAI that is up to the task, capable of handling the matter with corporate professionalism: we are still paying the price for the mistakes and horrors of recent years, during which we have not even managed to elect a president who commands public trust. From a public service broadcaster, Rai has become a political battleground, which has undermined its programming and led to a loss of viewers. The programmes in the schedule have been turned into blunt weapons wielded by one faction against another: now Rai’s management must do its job and take responsibility, without waiting for directives from politicians. This, too, is an issue.” And as for Ranucci? He has compared himself to Moro, Falcone and Borsellino. “A saying comes to mind: ‘Joke with the foot soldiers, but leave the saints alone’.”