Calabresi makes his debut at the Festa dell’Unità in Milan and sends messages to the PD and its allies. The uncertainty surrounding the primaries

A hall that could barely hold 500 people, packed with the entire leadership of the Milanese PD, was to be expected for Mario Calabresi’s first public appearance. The former editor-in-chief of La Repubblica, who had so far been sparing with his comments, was the most eagerly awaited figure at this Festa dell’Unità, held for the third year running at the Arci club in Via Oglio: for his debut, he chose to play on home ground by meeting with Don Ciotti to discuss the theme so dear to him, "Seeing the invisible". The title alone suggested that there would be little politics, if understood as ‘politique politicienne’. And what little there was came from Don Ciotti, who praised young people for their commitment to the recent referendum, which made it possible to ‘save the constitution’. He also launched a broadside against the bridge over the Strait of Messina, which ‘does not unite two coasts but two mafia clans’. 

Calabresi, albeit in the role of interviewer (according to some, almost a supporting actor), managed to convey three important messages amidst a discussion on the city’s current standing and the rising levels of marginalisation. The first was directed at the crowd who had gathered to see whether he had what it takes to lead the country’s economic capital: “My background and my values lie with the centre-left,” he declared to applause. Then came a tribute to “15 years of government in which policies on welfare, support and the recognition of rights have set an example for this country”, followed by thanks to Mayors Pisapia and Sala and the various councillors present: an important moment to reaffirm his political stance and a dig at Scavuzzo and Majorino – who are vying with him for the mayoral candidacy – both of whom, in different tones, have emphasised the need for a break, particularly with Beppe Sala’s tenure, which has not yet come to an end. He then turned to two issues designed to stir emotions: remembering Lea Garofalo with "a space, a place where she was able to live". And, still on the subject of the invisible, he pointed out that today, among the invisible, there are "young people and the elderly, victims of new forms of exclusion".  Finally, he mentioned Bishop Delpini, who spoke of a city that excludes, marked by a lack of equity: “We must address the disparities in opportunity,” Calabresi explained. 

There was a huge round of applause at the end, though the applause had been somewhat less enthusiastic throughout the evening. Those expecting more verve were left disappointed; the quip by Franco D’Alfondo, former ideologue of Pisapia’s ‘Orange’ faction, sums up their mood well: “For now, the only one who’s invisible is him,” he said, playing on the title of the meeting. There will be other opportunities to put forward ideas and proposals; at the moment, the situation within Milan’s centre-left, eight months out from the elections, is complicated to say the least. Three members of the PD have put themselves forward to succeed Sala (Deputy Mayor Scavuzzo, Majorino and the young Pacini), along with the Councillor for the Budget, Conte (close to Sala), and the independents Goisis and Cossutta. And perhaps the Councillor for Culture, Sacchi, might also be in the running.

Then there is the issue of the coalition’s scope, to be agreed with Azione, which has already stated that it considers Calabresi the only candidate worthy of support – a move that has sparked the ire of parts of the PD and the far left, who are unlikely to see themselves co-existing with Calenda’s party. There is also the question of the method: primaries or not? For now, everything is at a standstill; Schlein has called for a hold on proceedings until next month, when parliament is expected to pass the new electoral law. A decision on how to proceed will then be made; the possibility of primaries might be considered between January and the first half of February, but this seems rather unrealistic given the avalanche of contenders for Palazzo Marino. If the field cannot be narrowed down to two or three candidates, a co-optation cannot be ruled out as a way of avoiding an internal clash at the polls. 

Given the circumstances, it would have been unreasonable to expect more from Calabresi yesterday. There was a warm welcome from his supporters, and a brief mention of the issues close to his heart – young people, women, the marginalised – including his connection with the Ambrosian Church. Speaking of women, as he made his way round the festival stalls, there were two who never let him out of their sight: the Chair of the Council, Elena Buscemi, and the Chair of Municipal District 8, Giulia Pelucchi; one of the two could become deputy mayor. However, the truly decisive female presence could well be his wife, Silvia Nucini, a journalist who is always at her husband’s side: a couple reminiscent of Pisapia and Cinzia Sasso, who was also a journalist and – according to rumours at the time – highly influential in her husband’s decisions.