Carotenuto (M5S): “Diesel? The EU should reconsider its relations with Moscow.” And Conte clashes with AVS over the wealth tax

The agreement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin “is irresponsible”, Giuseppe Conte continues to repeat. But the situation is changing, prompting new (or old) considerations regarding energy. Indeed, even Emanuele Orsini, the president of Confindustria, when asked about the issue, called for ideology to be set aside. Dario Carotenuto tells Il Foglio: “The United States is pursuing its own interests, as demonstrated by the diesel agreement with Moscow. Israel is carrying out genocide whilst the West looks on with indifference. Even the European Union should, at this point, begin to reflect, reconsidering its trade and energy relations with Russia and thereby opening a channel that could also be useful for mediation.” The M5S MP has long been convinced that negotiations should be pursued through every possible avenue and bases his argument on the following reasoning: “The blood of Ukrainians is no different from that of Palestinians; the double standard is glaringly obvious. That ethical stance is untenable from every point of view. Our hope is that, once the war is over, we will be able to resume buying Russian gas – something which, incidentally, other European countries such as Spain, Belgium and France have never stopped doing.”

These statements, although not coming from the Movement’s leadership, may nevertheless not be to everyone’s liking within the coalition: the fear is that Putin’s energy policy could spark fresh controversy, in a scenario mirroring that of the majority coalition – where it was the League that called for the purchase of Russian gas. On the other hand, setting aside differences of opinion, the week of broad-based talks has seen some small steps forward towards agreement on foreign policy, and on whether or not to send weapons to Kyiv. Conte also reiterated this, having yesterday once again emphasised the need for a constitutional alliance to defeat Giorgia Meloni. “There has certainly been a step forward, as indicated by the mutual abstentions, if we are talking about the resolution, including with regard to the much-debated issue of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict,” said the former prime minister on the sidelines of the ‘Together for the Future’ Forum in Rome and Lazio. The M5S’s position, however, remains unchanged: “Military escalation is not the way forward.” Rather, it is one of negotiation. Asked whether Putin can be trusted, he replies: “If only we could reach a peace plan; that would mean we’ve managed to reconcile the interests at stake, to find a compromise, whilst obviously safeguarding the interests of Ukraine – the country under attack – as effectively as possible. But at the same time, we’re also working on a security conference.” Conte also reveals that he already has a name in mind for the special envoy for peace: “It would be acceptable to the United States, Russia and China, but I won’t say who it is so as not to jeopardise the appointment.” Or perhaps also to avoid further friction with his ally-rival Elly Schlein, who was in Brussels yesterday with Pedro Sánchez and is, in the meantime, focusing on her party’s Assembly, where the extension of her mandate – due to expire in March – will be discussed. The Nazareno faction did not exactly appreciate the applause the reformists gave Meloni in the Senate whilst she was speaking about support for Ukraine. Francesco Boccia, the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group leader, smiles: “After the Party Assembly, I’ll say what I think.” There’s already plenty on the agenda ahead of Sunday, between extensions and the need to strike a balance between the various factions within the PD. And then there’s always the issue of the manifesto, on which we need to step up the pace. Nicola Fratoianni and Angelo Bonelli have reiterated this once again; they will be presenting the AVS programme this Sunday.

Among the key issues is a progressive tax system, particularly the wealth tax. According to Conte, however, this “has never worked”, has an ideological undertone and drives wealth away from Italy. This outburst – a real overstep – was not at all appreciated by the two red-green leaders: “Dear Giuseppe, we, too, are by no means ideological, and we will bring to the discussion table evidence and studies demonstrating how the most frequent and repeated objections – starting with ‘capital flight’ – are largely unfounded”. This, too, will be a matter for discussion.