Cattaneo (FI) speaks: “On end-of-life issues, Meloni should not be influenced by Vannacci. Berlusconi? He’d approve.”

“We must pass our end-of-life bill by the end of this parliamentary term. Meloni must not allow herself to be influenced by Vannacci.” This is what Alessandro Cattaneo, MP and head of Forza Italia’s departments – one of the leading figures in Parliament, alongside the bill’s rapporteur and Forza Italia Senator Pierantonio Zanettin, in pushing for swift legislative action on the issue – told Il Foglio. Today, the party is determined to fight for end-of-life rights “at any cost”, wrote Stefania Craxi, Forza Italia’s Senate group leader, in these pages on Monday. “I agree with his statement. We must put the bill on the agenda without further delay. We can no longer risk this regulatory vacuum being filled by the judiciary and the regions, sometimes even clumsily and in a manipulative manner,” says Cattaneo. “Today there is a sense that the state has decided not to be there.” To achieve this goal, however, the centre-right must act as a united front. “We are receiving support from our colleagues in the Lega and FdI.” From Vannacchio’s supporters, on the other hand, comes the usual opposition. “We must not allow ourselves to be swayed by extremism,” says the Forza Italia member. “And besides, Silvio Berlusconi would have liked this bill too.” 

The path to follow, however, has nothing to do with that feared by the Forza Italia MEP Massimiliano Salini, who instead appeals to common sense so as not to turn FI into ‘yet another party seeking to lay claim to the battle for civil rights’. “Let us not pander to extreme secularism. And the voters know this,” says Cattaneo, emphasising that “Forza Italia’s stance remains that of a party which, as a liberal and Catholic organisation, champions life. We are appalled by those who want euthanasia for everyone, but we cannot, however, act like Pontius Pilate. And since we draw on Christian values – he points out – FI always puts people first. We cannot abandon them at their most vulnerable moment.” And to those within the party who regard end-of-life issues as a low priority for the country, the MP replies: “It isn’t until you go through those dramatic moments. After all, even justice is not a priority for some people, at least not until they find themselves having to deal with it.” This applies to many issues, adds Cattaneo, “including egg freezing. We are lagging behind on certain issues, and this government must fill certain gaps. Being conservative does not mean denying the existence of certain debates in society.”

Alongside the internal divisions within Forza Italia (between those pushing for civil rights and those fearing potential negative repercussions at the polls), there is also the hurdle posed by Vannacci’s party. Its ideologue, Lorenzo Gasperini, has already accused FI of being a ‘left-wing, pro-death party’, whilst also announcing that Futuro Nazionale will work to rile up the pro-life fringe of Meloni’s supporters. Cattaneo, however, is pressing ahead and speaking out at Palazzo Chigi: “Giorgia Meloni must move forward without fear on end-of-life issues,” he says. “As Prime Minister, she has shown courage on a great many issues. She has the authority to lead this change and to heed our call.” And then, he continues, “this is also a test to demonstrate that the centre-right is not chasing after the extremism of Futuro Nazionale, although some of its members have shown themselves to be very open-minded on the issue in the past”. Cattaneo says that his colleagues in the Lega, Fratelli d’Italia and Noi Moderati like the bill. Has it also garnered the support of Silvio Berlusconi? “The way we’ve drafted it, I believe he would be entirely in favour. He was the person most in love with life that I have ever known,” he recalls. “And knowing that this bill can help so many people feel less alone at a difficult time in their lives, he would certainly have appreciated it.”