Il Foglio’s anti-Putin appeal is too divisive for the left

The story we are about to tell you concerns a small idea from Il Foglio, which turned into a call to action, which became a political issue and which is right there, before us, highlighting some of our country’s strengths and some of its weaknesses. The story we are about to tell concerns Italy, concerns the Italian political parties, concerns some of the heavyweights from the various political camps, and it is a story that begins in the aftermath of an important meeting held at the Élysée Palace, when Emmanuel Macron chose to summon all the leaders of the parties represented in Parliament to brief them on the growing Russian threat. Following that meeting – as we reported in Il Foglio – one party, albeit with a thousand ifs and buts, surprised both European and Italian observers by issuing a strongly worded statement reaffirming France’s unity against Putin’s threats. On 20 September, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, leaders of the Rassemblement National—a party that has in the past flirted with Putinism and Russian banks—stated that while aid to Kyiv is open to discussion, it is unacceptable for Moscow to dictate European policy through intimidation, sabotage and destabilisation. A few days later, we decided to draw inspiration from that document to turn it into a brief appeal and submit it to Italian political forces across the spectrum.

An appeal to try to demonstrate that whilst the details of Ukraine’s defence may be a matter of debate, there can be no disagreement on the general principle: we cannot accept that Moscow should influence European policy through intimidation, sabotage and destabilisation. We have chosen not to be overly provocative, not to approach the leaders of the political blocs directly, and to address that pragmatic section of Italy, represented by the regional governors, who often find, amidst the silence, elements of common sense with which to work – without excessive ideology – to achieve common goals, even alongside colleagues from regions belonging to other coalitions. We therefore drafted the appeal and then, before causing a minor stir, submitted it to all the regional presidents. Just a few lines: ‘Italy is free to discuss its own choices regarding Ukraine: the extent and nature of aid, defence spending, and diplomatic initiatives. But one thing should take precedence over divisions: recognising the nature of the threat. Across Europe, there is a rise in acts of sabotage, clandestine operations, cyber-attacks, airspace violations and destabilisation campaigns attributed to or linked with Russia. These are facts that must be taken seriously. No foreign power can expect to influence Italy’s democratic decisions through intimidation, threats, disinformation or psychological pressure. Italian foreign policy is decided in Italy, freely and democratically. Firmness in the face of hostile actions and the pursuit of peace are not mutually exclusive. We can call for more diplomacy without downplaying the threats. We can discuss how to support Ukraine without confusing democratic debate with external pressure.” The first to sign up, with great conviction, were the League governors and also a former League governor. Those who endorsed the appeal were Alberto Stefani (Veneto), Massimiliano Fedriga (Friuli Venezia Giulia), Attilio Fontana (Lombardy), Maurizio Fugatti (President of the Autonomous Province of Trento) and Luca Zaia (former Governor of Veneto). Shortly afterwards, all the governors from Forza Italia signed up: Roberto Occhiuto (Calabria), Renato Schifani (Sicily), Alberto Cirio (Piedmont), Vito Bardi (Basilicata) and Francesco Roberti (Molise). Next to join were the governors from Fratelli d’Italia: Marco Marsilio (Abruzzo), Francesco Acquaroli (Marche). Finally, centre-right governors with a civic background also joined, such as Marco Bucci (Liguria) and Francesco Rocca (Lazio). Renzo Testolin (Aosta Valley) and Arno Kompatscher (governor of Trentino-South Tyrol) also joined.

The political picture that emerges from this list is interesting. The Lega governors, including a long-standing former Lega governor, have no qualms about asserting the need to protect their country from Putin’s interference (we have passed on the same appeal to Matteo Salvini; he will let us know, we are sure of it). The centre-right governors, speaking with one voice, did not bat an eyelid at the appeal: yes, OK, I’m in, of course, put my name down.

However, when the appeal reached the WhatsApp chats of the centre-left governors, panic ensued. Yet the text had been drafted precisely to seek common ground amongst them all and, as you have seen, it does not contain a single reference to the moral, political or strategic duty to send weapons to Kyiv. The governor of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, has let us know that he would personally be in favour of it, but he is not signing. In the afternoon, while the governor of Emilia-Romagna, Michele De Pascale, replied to messages, the other centre-left governors – Stefania Proietti (governor of Umbria), Roberto Fico (governor of Campania), Antonio Decaro (governor of Puglia) and Alessandra Todde (governor of Sardinia) – remained silent: WhatsApp was working, but no replies were sent. Could it be an unexpected glitch? Some unavoidable commitment? A chat amongst centre-left governors hinting at some element of embarrassment regarding the appeal? By the end of the day, the governors let us know that they cannot sign the appeal, and even those who would have liked to sign it on their own prudently choose to back out so as not to find themselves signing an appeal alongside right-wing governors, who, incidentally, govern much of Italy. We undertake not to be overly critical, nor to highlight that a coalition which cannot agree on an appeal against Putin is clearly going to struggle somewhat to reach agreements on governing Italy; but the governors promise us that they will share their point of view with us collectively: against Putin, yes, but not like this. We are counting on it. And in the meantime, we will make do.

Out of twenty regions, fourteen incumbent governors – along with former governor Luca Zaia and the president of the province of Trento – have pledged to do whatever their roles allow to prevent Moscow from influencing European politics, and indeed Italian politics, through intimidation, sabotage and destabilisation. The remaining governors have declined to sign the appeal, but it is anticipated that they will provide compelling explanations for why rejecting Putin’s intimidation might place significant strain on the notion of remaining stubbornly united on the left. Those wishing to sign the appeal may write to: [email protected].