Renzi backs Mario Calabresi for Milan: “I could definitely see him as mayor”

"I could easily see Mario Calabresi as mayor of Milan." Matteo Renzi put forward the name of the journalist – former editor-in-chief of *La Stampa* and *La Repubblica* – from the stage at the Leopolda, the *Italia Viva* convention. This suggestion brings the issue of selecting the centre-left candidate for Palazzo Marino back into the spotlight; Pina Picierno, the Vice-President of the European Commission who left the PD and is now with *Spazio Pubblico*, also spoke on the matter today. “We support Calabresi and our main opponent is the right. Within the ‘broad coalition’ in Milan, there is a debate that we are following with respect; I believe that Calabresi’s proposal could go further and broaden the so-called ‘broad coalition’. If that is the case, it will be the best proposal for us; if the ‘broad coalition’ also comes on board, we will be happy,” said Picierno.

Calabresi, a guest at the Leopolda, did not officially stand as a candidate, but in his speech he reflected on the city’s future. “We need to think about Milan over the next five years,” he said, explaining that the city has grown significantly over the last decade, but not everyone has benefited from this transformation. It is from this point, according to Calabresi, that the debate on the city should begin anew. Alongside the other major issue: security.

Calabresi acknowledges that the problem exists, but disputes the idea of fuelling alarm on a daily basis. The solution, he said, cannot be left to ‘vigilante groups’: what is needed is social interaction, street lighting, liveable spaces and social services. This stance goes hand in hand with criticism of a certain ‘preachy left’, which, according to the journalist, is incapable of listening to citizens’ concerns. 

At the Leopolda, Renzi also spoke about the national balance of power within the broad coalition, which is grappling with the drama of the primaries. “I am part of a centre-left that is the alternative to the centre-right. That is why, at this moment, I believe that before we consider who will lead, it is important to consider ideas. I want a reformist, rights-protecting centre-left. Then, of course, whoever has the most votes will lead. We’ll see whether it will be Conte or someone else, but that is the least of our worries. We cannot start by deciding who will lead if we do not know where we are going.” Responding to Giuseppe Conte’s request for assurances regarding Italia Viva’s participation in a future coalition, Renzi then proposed a “German-style contract”: an agreement with clearly defined objectives, timelines and responsibilities. The risk, he warned, is that divisions amongst centre-left forces could end up “handing the country and the Quirinale over to Meloni”.