“Calenda, like Vannacci, is helping the centre-left. But the liberal electorate is ours.” Says Cattaneo (Forza Italia)

“By staying out of the political blocs, Carlo Calenda is following in Roberto Vannacci’s footsteps: he is helping the centre-left.” Alessandro Cattaneo, a Forza Italia MP, speaks to Il Foglio after the leader of Azione set out in writing his intention to stand alone, first by revealing to this newspaper the launch of his centrist list (“Il Centro”) and then by presenting it with great fanfare in Bologna at a specially organised event. Yet the whole of Forza Italia has gone to great lengths to persuade the Roman senator to join the centre-right coalition, encountering no shortage of openness on the part of Azione. “We have explored dialogue with all the centrist forces without prejudice,” says Cattaneo. “With some, it seems to me that there is a more advanced, concrete dialogue – I’m thinking of Luigi Marattin – whilst with others, at a certain point, it stalled somewhat, and other decisions were taken. However, I am a pragmatist in life; the best is the enemy of the good.” Is there a risk that Calenda’s centrist party won’t yield much? “Anyone can hope that their party will reach 50 per cent or more on its own. But then you have to face reality. Calenda is currently running a solo campaign which, in fact – like Vannacci – risks helping the centre-left. It’s a missed opportunity.” 

Faced with Calenda’s closed doors, Forza Italia adopts an Alberto Sordi-style stance: “You’ve provoked me and I’ll destroy you… I’ll eat you up.” “Calenda’s core electorate is very similar to ours: centrist and liberal,” explains Cattaneo. “Personally, together with other colleagues, we have, for example, initiated a very fruitful dialogue with all the think tanks, organisations and liberal associations, from which we draw many useful ideas. There is also the question of stance within the centre-right,” he continues. We will not compromise on the issue of windfall profits, nor on personal income tax for the middle class, but I am also thinking of the determination with which we intend to push through a common-sense law such as the right to die. And this benefits both our own support base and that of the centre-right.”

Faced with polls showing a clear lead for the centre-left (44 per cent against 41.2 per cent for the centre-right without Vannacci), the aim is to attract voters who view Calenda favourably. “I don’t know how many will follow him. I believe that voters will ultimately realise that there is a ‘useful vote’ in the upcoming general election and will choose a side. And so they will back Forza Italia,” says the Forza Italia MP. Whilst he has some reservations about bringing on board the mayor of Terni, Stefano Bandecchi – even though discussions with FI are ongoing (“It seems a bit difficult to me, but we’re not closing the door on anyone”) – he appears more confident regarding the Marattin initiative. "In his parliamentary and public speeches, there is clear evidence of full alignment. So, building on this – and also on the drive for reform that seems to have been completely lost on the left – we have many common ground that can facilitate dialogue. We must bring together within the centre-right all the reformist voices that offer an alternative to the left."