Veneto says yes to end-of-life care. And in the Senate, Schlein is exploring an alliance with Forza Italia

Elly Schlein is keeping an eye on Veneto and weighing up her next moves, between Rome and Cernobbio. The region led by Stefani and Zaia has approved the end-of-life bill, becoming the first region governed by the ruling coalition to do so. The right is divided, with FdI voting against, but the bill – also supported by the opposition – passed with 32 votes in favour, 5 abstentions and 14 against. This time, the Veneto Regional Council has secured a result that eluded it by a single vote in January 2024: PD councillor Anna Maria Bigon abstained, breaking with the party line. “A wound,” Schlein said at the time, convinced of the need for that regional law. And even more so than national legislation that follows the Constitutional Court’s guidelines: this is why the Nazareno camp is refining its strategy to offer support to Forza Italia. Or rather: to see whether Tajani’s ‘Azzurri’ are really serious. After all, end-of-life care is an issue that could throw the government into disarray. And then there is Vannacci. Thus, the Democrats’ intention is to facilitate the passage to the Chamber of Deputies of the proposal put forward by FI group leader Stefania Craxi. This push is also coming from Milan, from Marina Berlusconi, in the name of renewal (whether real or perceived). As is well known, a national law on end-of-life issues has been under discussion for years. The PD put forward the Bazoli proposal some time ago. In this parliamentary term, the majority has made its countermove. It is a deadlock which – fuelled by divisions on the right, with FdI highly sceptical – has been dragging on for months. But Craxi has taken it upon herself to break the deadlock. “At the first available group leaders’ meeting, I will ask for the end-of-life bill to be placed on the agenda,” the senator assures Il Foglio. “It is Parliament’s moral duty to fill the legislative void and avoid regulatory chaos in which every region proceeds on its own and with different rules. I am confident that the entire majority can support this proposal.” And the opposition? “I hope the PD will do so too, whilst hoping that it sets aside its desire to remain on the barricades.” Craxi is extending a hand. “If the PD adopts a constructive approach, it will find in Forza Italia a partner ready to discuss the matter without prejudice.” There are quite a few sticking points, the main one being the role of the national health service, on which the Democrats (and the rest of the opposition, who have been pressing Meloni since yesterday) will not back down. In the Senate, Francesco Boccia explains: “We acknowledge Craxi’s good faith and commitment. And if Forza Italia truly wishes to bring a bill on end-of-life care with an open framework to the Chamber, we are prepared to support its inclusion on the agenda”. But? “Let me be clear: the PD will never support the positions of the most reactionary right, which would seek to exclude the National Health Service on such a sensitive matter. For us, this is unacceptable: it would mean granting a right only to those who can pay, by turning to private providers. Intramural care is not enough because it enshrines precisely this principle.” The PD group leader therefore calls on the government to “allow the majority the freedom to vote on a bill decided by Parliament. In any case, we are curious to know whether Veneto will also be treated in the same way as Tuscany and Sardinia, where the law has been challenged.”

The Senate chamber will reopen next week, when the row over the electoral law will really heat up. But it will also become clear whether and when end-of-life care can actually be discussed. In the meantime, Schlein is organising events and initiatives. She has called – as has her rival-turned-ally Conte (who is attending the Festa dell’Unità in Genoa today) – for the noise surrounding the primaries to be turned down and for politicians not to get sucked into day-to-day controversy. It is more important to focus on the real issues, on the economy. A sort of (armoured and apparent) truce, even if the rivalry between the leaders will certainly not disappear. On Sunday, the two will meet at the Ambrosetti Forum, before an audience of industrialists. Schlein, however, will also be in the area the day before, for the counter-forum ‘dell’altra Cernobbio’, organised by the Italian Network for Peace and Disarmament and Sbilanciamoci!. The title of the event is clear: ‘Un’economia di pace’. The race for leadership also passes through here.