Conte shuts down Nova: “Changing Italy comes before personal ambitions. But we will not take a step backwards”

He emphasises “no, we are not all equal” in opposition to the former “one person, one vote” principle. Giuseppe Conte closes the M5S policy conference, Nova, in Milan with a speech lasting over an hour. He addresses Giorgia Meloni, calling her “Cettina Laqualunque”, because “those who do not love Italy are in Palazzo Chigi”. He responds on the Superbonus: "Did we leave 400 billion in debt? No, we left an extra 209 billion on the table." He sends messages to the ruling coalition but also to the wider political spectrum.

“We are called upon to pursue a genuinely progressive policy,” says the former prime minister from the stage. “There are no personal or party ambitions here. Where does it say ‘M5S’? For us, the goal of changing Italy comes first. But we are not prepared to back down by a single millimetre. We must change everything, starting with foreign policy. Let no one ask us to follow in the footsteps of Meloni’s rearmament.”

What are the faults of the Left? Relying on the ‘market god’, unbridled neoliberalism, Clinton and Blair’s ‘third way’. The mistakes made ‘after the fall of the Berlin Wall’. It is Comrade Conte who is putting history on trial. ‘Today we are forced to be radical; there is no compromise. We need a revolution – a peaceful one, but a revolution nonetheless.’ 

Then the passages on the work of the assembly that drew up a point-by-point programme to be put to its allies. Conte lists them as slogans: “No to rearmament; Italy rejects war. No to trade and military agreements with Israel. Those who commit genocide will never be our friends. We will recognise the State of Palestine”. And then? “We must abolish the law that repealed the offence of abuse of office. No to the law that shields politicians from the Court of Auditors. No to restrictions on wiretapping. We will also repeal the ‘gag law’.” A programme centred on ‘no’s’ rather than ‘yes’s’. Such as the grassroots rejection of sending arms to Ukraine (rejected by over 91 per cent of the Movement’s members). But also mortgage support, regulations on unpaid work placements, and parental leave. “Then there is an important chapter on the dignity of work: in addition to the minimum wage, a reduction in working hours whilst maintaining the same pay. Remote working, and the right to disconnect.” 

On security too, says Conte, “it will be up to us to provide answers. But not just empty talk.” He also promises a “law on conflicts of interest”, as well as amendments to parliamentary regulations that allow elected representatives to shield themselves with immunity. “All our proposals are aimed at social and environmental justice, and at broadening participation. These are the principles and values that underpin our Constitution. That is why I have proposed calling the progressive coalition the Alliance for the Constitution". He concludes with a military reference: "We must put on our helmets – not Crosetto’s, but those of peacemakers. I am prepared to stand up to everything and everyone to push these proposals forward. But politics without vision means merely the administration of power. You are asking me to bring about change in the country, and I’m on board, but on these terms.” Before concluding: “Thank you, Movement; let’s all get moving.” In short, the challenge for leadership of the broad coalition has been launched.