Landini’s push. He broadens the scope to the centre. But the wealth tax divides opinion. Tomorrow’s meeting on the programme

On the steps of the Brancaccio Theatre, in front of the auditorium, the lyrics of a famous refrain are displayed: “Aggiungi un posto un tavola che c’è un amico in più”. This is the source of Maurizio Landini’s push for a broad coalition, as he awaits the programme meeting which will begin tomorrow with the sherpas. It is not yet time for a photo with Matteo Renzi; certain animosities and divisions – such as those over the wealth tax – remain. But for his trade union’s assembly, the CGIL leader also brought Maria Elena Boschi onto the stage in Rome, alongside, of course, all the other opposition leaders. Riding the wave coming from America, everyone, in various ways, is calling for unity as a necessary – though not yet sufficient – condition for victory. “The one thing we must not do is repeat the political suicide of 2022,” Nicola Fratoianni will say.

The hall is full; Marco Damilano is hosting the event. When proceedings begin, Giuseppe Conte has not yet arrived – he is running late. Where was he? “I was meeting with logistics workers,” he explains from the stage. A delegation from USB and Cobas had arrived from Naples. The round of questions begins with a poll commissioned by the CGIL: Italians’ main concern is security, followed by wages and the cost of living, then healthcare and utility bills. The consequences of international conflicts come last, and indeed the issue will be on the agenda. The agenda follows order of priority; the leaders speak in ‘ascending’ order, based on parliamentary representation. After Landini, of course. He also recalls the ‘13 million votes’ in the labour referendums against Renzi’s Jobs Act. They are an asset, but they don’t come for free: the broad coalition must earn them. The trade unions are calling for radicalism and change, and will put forward proposals. The campaign stalls, on the other hand, do not go down very well with the activists. Conte or Schlein? Some do not answer, whilst others timidly prefer the Democratic Party leader. But is the sentiment best summed up by a quip from a FIOM member? “Why on earth did we let ourselves be dragged along by the right? The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of the Republic.” But it is too late now.

In the theatre, the first round of questions focuses on security; Schlein is the leader who draws the most applause. Boschi also goes down well with me when she lands a blow on Meloni, who is on the run from Trump and the press: “She only replies on 29 February, unless it’s a leap year.” Security, however, is approached in various ways. Conte wants to “scrap Meloni’s eight decrees immediately; students tell us they’re afraid to protest”. Bonelli adds: “We’ll repeal them. It’s legitimate to block the road if you’re desperate, because you’ve lost your job”. But he clarifies: “We mustn’t be afraid to say that security is necessary; we cannot leave it to the right.” Meanwhile, Fratoianni cites Franco Gabrielli’s proposals (including on immigration), because one cannot rely solely on truncheons. Thus, Schlein goes beyond merely “strengthening the police force. We need social and cultural safeguards’. It is a vision that also appeals to Iv and Magi, who nevertheless urges that “we must not underestimate the fears of citizens”. Everyone then agrees on the abolition of the Bossi-Fini law and on putting a stop to the centres in Albania. These are items for the first Council of Ministers meeting, alongside the recognition of Palestine. Negotiations will, however, be needed on the wealth tax, which divides the group. Landini calls it a ‘solidarity contribution’, to be levied on the 500,000 Italians with a net income of over two million euros: with a 1 per cent tax, he explains, 25 billion could be raised: ‘If they pay 20,000 euros, what the hell difference does it make to them?’. Fratoianni, sitting opposite, quips: “I’m a moderate.” The AVS wealth tax is, in fact, a milder version. Schlein is in favour (“Yes to a tax on the super-rich”) but not Conte, who finds it a bit ideological: “It won’t work.” This time, he finds support from the centre, in Boschi and Magi, who also have their doubts. The key issue, however, is redistribution. And so Bonelli offers the solution: “Let’s not call it a wealth tax, if it strikes fear into people’s hearts.” It’s the ‘vocabulary’ approach, always useful for mediation. As will happen from tomorrow: at 2 pm the programme working groups will begin, and the group leaders have been enlisted. A discussion is set to begin on which, in reality, even the social partners – from the three main trade unions to Confindustria – are waiting to understand more, perhaps to be invited to participate, and they have made this known to the parties.

In the latest photo, taken at the Manifesto party, the broad coalition extended as far as Magi. Yesterday, another piece of the jigsaw fell into place. “Renzi will be there,” says Fratoianni. “But the point isn’t the names, it’s the issues.” And beyond the wealth tax, there are many issues they have in common. Then, of course, the major Kyiv issue will have to be resolved. But that will come later, when it will be too late for anyone to back out. In the meantime, as all the leaders will ultimately say, they need to win over the referendum voters. Otherwise, Palazzo Chigi will remain nothing more than a mirage.