Politics
The statements •
Conte: “Why vote for me in the primaries? The public know me”
The leader of the Five Star Movement: “Are the primaries in February coming too late? Don’t tell me that. Let them be open to multiple candidates. It was difficult to be Prime Minister because there were two majorities, but in two and a half years we have turned Italy’s fortunes round.” And on Salvini and Ukraine: “The usual old tune, never consistent.”
Giuseppe Conte – photo: LaPresse
“If I take part in the primaries, I will ask the public to vote for me. Why? I believe they have got to know me; they have seen me at work in two different governments.” This was stated by the leader of the Five Star Movement, Giuseppe Conte, on the programme ‘Tagada’ on La7. When asked about the never-ending (and endless) debate on the primaries, the former prime minister cited his previous roles at Palazzo Chigi as an added asset to his potential profile as leader of a broad-based coalition. A contest in which, he explained, “it is right that people should have the chance to choose between several candidates”. The Five Star Movement leader reiterated what has long been known, namely that a two-horse race – between himself and Elly Schlein – is not his preferred option (particularly as, according to various polls, he would come out of it at a disadvantage).
“It was extremely difficult because we were dealing with different majorities,” Conte added, speaking about his time as Prime Minister, first with the Lega and then with the PD. “But in just over two and a half years, we have revolutionised Italy,” and he believes that voters “remember a comprehensive policy to tackle poverty”. And this is because, he added: “Even during the pandemic, we kept our nerve, we safeguarded the country and we showed that we can bring about a change in Europe.” He went on to say: “The other candidates in the primaries will never be my opponents.”
However, on the question of how much to do and the fact that the leadership contest is starting a little late in February, he takes a dig: “Don’t tell me about it…”. Because: “We completed a major process over a month ago. We took our time because we wanted to listen to the country – 17,000 people. Now I’m confident that everyone will sit down around the table.”
Conte: “Salvini is singing the same old tune about Ukraine”
During the interview with Tiziana Panella, Conte then spoke about Salvini in relation to Ukraine. The League leader reiterated (before backtracking today) that at the next Council of Ministers meeting he will call for a halt to arms shipments to Kyiv. The former prime minister dismisses it all as follows: “I’ve heard this old tune before; it doesn’t seem to me that he’s ever followed through.” He also recalls the Russian affair: “When I was Prime Minister, I stepped in for Salvini, the Minister of the Interior, who did not want to face the Senate to discuss the Metropol Hotel affair. I have never had anything to do with the Russians, other than clear diplomatic relations. When I take a stance, it is not because – as is commonly claimed – I am ‘pro-Russian’; I am committed to building a path towards genuine security and peace in Europe.”
“Our young people are not asking us to go to war; they are asking us to build a future of peace and security,” Conte added. “It is illusory to build deterrence on the basis of military deterrence. We must build security on shared plans for disarmament; we must reclaim resources and put them to work for the well-being of our citizens,” he concluded.