Whilst awaiting the talks on Kyiv, the broad coalition is reorganising the ministries. The PD-Confindustria alliance

The meeting is scheduled for today at 3 pm. The foreign policy roundtable gets underway – the first discussion on Kyiv. It will take several more days to reach an agreement, but the broad coalition is looking ahead to Palazzo Chigi. And towards the ministries that are to be formed: not so much (or not only) at the names of those who might lead them, but rather at their functions and the way they will be organised. From Immigration to Economic Development, discussions are ongoing: after all, with the microphones switched off, more than one person is letting slip: “There’s a positive atmosphere...”.

The opposition parties are very keen on the ‘Gabrielli motion’ on immigration. The former top police officer – now working alongside Ernesto Maria Ruffini on the Più Uno political project – has long argued for the need for a dedicated ministry for migration policy. This idea, which he also put forward in his book, has found widespread support across the political spectrum. Nicola Fratoianni said as much a few days ago, explaining that one of the key points is “separating immigration from the Ministry of the Interior”. This is an issue that also concerns integration and security, which, according to the left, cannot be addressed solely through repression. Moreover, even in policy programmes, the issue of immigration is distinct from that of security, which is discussed at a separate table. Further confirmation comes directly from the M5S’s manifesto, which states in Chapter 18: “Establish a Ministry of Migration Policies and Integration”. And the PD? Elly Schlein has repeatedly referred to Gabrielli’s proposals; he has also been a guest at various ‘Feste dell’Unità’ events. Moreover, the PD minority is also moving in the direction advocated by the former police chief, having yesterday produced a document containing ideas and suggestions on various issues. A counter-programme? No, “four proposals for the policy working group”, in which the reformists have so far had no say. “But we are engaging in dialogue with Schlein,” assures Lorenzo Guerini. On Kyiv and beyond. Among the reformists’ suggestions are a stronger Europe and support for “the Ukrainian resistance”, followed by schools and education, and then migrants, to overcome “the politics of fear”. The proposed mechanism is “a national agency, reporting to the Prime Minister’s Office”, which would be responsible for migration flows, reception and integration. Meanwhile, security and border control remain the preserve of “the relevant authorities”.

The document also includes a section dedicated to growth and business. This is an issue entrusted to Andrea Orlando at the Nazareno, who has already produced a green paper. A white paper is also on the way, to be presented shortly alongside Schlein. In the meantime, however, he has already put forward some ideas on business matters. For example, the proposal to strengthen the policies of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIMIT), by returning energy responsibilities – which currently lie with the Ministry of the Environment – to Via Vittorio Veneto. This is a proposal, they explain, that has taken shape through discussions with trade unions, associations and businesses, and which would enable a more effective response to the crises of our times. On this point too, common ground with the other opposition parties should be found, and it could also meet with the approval of Confindustria, starting with the criticism of Adolfo Urso. Still on the subject of economic development, other considerations concern trade responsibilities, which currently fall under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, although this aspect will need to be examined in greater depth. This could be achieved through discussions with industrialists led by Emanuele Orsini. Meanwhile, they are in dialogue with the Democrats: these exchanges are useful in the debate on the Competition Decree and even more so in the run-up to the budget, when suggestions from businesses (and other associations) may well be translated into amendments. It is no coincidence that sources at the Nazareno confirm that “Schlein and Orsini are in frequent contact”. In any case, the battle over the budget will really heat up in a few weeks’ time. Before that, attempts will be made to resolve other major issues: Kyiv above all, starting this very afternoon at the ‘Peace, Foreign Policy, Defence’ roundtable. The positions are well known, as are the differences. “We will try to bridge them,” says Alessandro Alfieri, the Democratic Party’s sherpa alongside Giuseppe Provenzano. Also at the table will be the group leaders of the M5S, Enrico Borghi for IV, and Riccardo Magi and Della Vedova for +Europa. The run-up to the meeting was marked by a series of talks in the Chamber of Deputies: Igor Taruffi spoke with his own party members, then also with Paola Taverna. Provenzano exchanged a few words with De Cristofaro, the AVS delegate at the table. No one wants to commit too strongly on the issue of arms for Zelensky. Two hours will certainly not be enough to reach a consensus, which will in any case then have to be finalised by the leaders. And before delving into “diplomatic, logistical and financial” solutions, “defensive weapons” and “peace envoys”, the discussion will begin with the work already done and the joint motions. Above all, those concerning Gaza, which (almost entirely) unite the opposition. It was no coincidence that yesterday the opposition gathered in front of Montecitorio – after lending their support to the protest by precarious research workers – for a sit-in in support of Gaza. The final photo shows all the leaders, with the exception of Conte, who had nevertheless been in the vicinity shortly beforehand.

Before getting to the heart of the discussion on Kyiv, however, leaders from across the political spectrum will meet at Palazzo Chigi, convened by Meloni for a discussion on cyber security and hackers following the bomb threats. They would have preferred a debate in Parliament, but given that this is a matter of national security, they have all confirmed their attendance. It is, at any rate, a start.