Schlein and her clash with Conte at the Festa dell’Unità: buses, an extended stage. Prodi: “Hope? A thought-provoking provocation”

 

Rome. The PD is the land of persimmons. Elio (and Le Storie Tese) will lead the coalition. Preparations are under way for the Festa dell’Unità in Reggio Emilia, and Schlein is saying that on 13 September, at the closing rally, she will make a major announcement. They’re even moving the stage. Look for the applause meter. A tip-off from the usual source in Bologna: “The regional secretaries in Emilia-Romagna are phoning party members and organising buses. Elly wants a full house. She’ll either announce that she’s scrapping the PD or that we’re buying *L’Unità*. And please, make sure you write it with the asterisk. The party leadership is keen on that.” But what’s the programme? It may be the Democratic Party, but the line-up has been kept under wraps. The chef: “The great Igor Taruffi – Taruffenko – will make it public on Monday, but we’ve got a few names. There’ll be Elio e le Storie Tese, the group Bambole di Pezza, and then Giuseppe Conte on the 12th, the day before Elly.” A quick call to Romano Prodi. Professor, this is "Il Foglio", any news? “You see, Speranza’s provocation makes you smile and think.” Let’s think about it. We’re collecting brilliant quotes that flow so clearly. This one’s from Taruffi, the only wise man Elly has at her disposal (the other, Boccia, but he too, like Prodi, is reflecting): “I urge you to stay calm.” Go on then, dear Igor. “The primaries? Are we perhaps voting tomorrow? I don’t think so. Are we perhaps voting in April? Fine. If we vote in April, it would be the perfect time to hold the primaries, but if we vote in September, we’d be terribly early.” It makes perfect sense. If Igor stands as a candidate, he’ll win the vote on the strength of his wisdom. But we’d called him to find out about the programme for this epic, momentous event. The situation is more or less as follows. Nobody knows anything. Let’s ring Marco Sarracino, the ‘Careca of socialism’, who sits on the PD’s executive committee: “I’m certain the leadership group will be convened shortly to agree on a course of action.” Translation: we know nothing, and when will the PD secretariat convene to discuss it? Ouch. No one knows who the guests will be. But will there be any right-wing leaders? A Crosetto, perhaps? Another call to Giovanni Donzelli, head of organisation for FdI, who organises Atreju (there’s also the Meloni government’s party, the ‘longevity birthday’, in Bari): “None of us has been invited.” The chef from Bologna – everyone gets the sources they deserve – does indeed remind us that “at the Feste dell’Unità there are no right-wing leaders, only those from the coalition”. Gentiloni is said to have been invited (he will be speaking with Gualtieri), whilst for Italia Viva, Maria Elena Boschi and Lella Paita will attend (Renzi is going to the local festivals). How did it go last year? With Conte making the rounds of the kitchens (to applause) and Silvia Salis serving lasagne (she was invited but, due to official engagements, will be attending the event in Modena). Take a look at this tear-jerking ANSA report featuring a quote from the provincial secretary of Reggio Emilia, Massimo Gazza: “We cannot reveal anything because we know nothing. Rome is dealing with it.” Whilst we await the announcement, here are the certainties: Mattia Santori on stage, the band Bambole di Pezza and, thankfully, Elio e le Storie Tese. Whilst we wait for Schlein’s announcement, all we can do is hum: “Primaries yes/ Primaries no/ The leader isn’t having it and heads off to the stadium.”