Centre-right, ideas and strategy: foundations and think tanks at the center of the European challenge

Not only parties, but also foundationsassociations and think tanks as the cultural and strategic cornerstone of centre-right Italian and European. This is the underlying theme of conference “Centro-right: from Italy to Europe, a challenge for the future”, hosted in the Conference Room of the Alleanza Nazionale Foundation in via della Scrofa, promoted by the Altero Matteoli Association for Freedom and the Common Good, the Alleanza Nazionale Foundation and Secolo d’Italia. In dialogue with the director of the AGI, Rita Lofano, political exponents and protagonists of the cultural world of the conservative area to reflect on the role of foundations in the construction of a shared strategic vision: the president of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Senate, Maurizio Gasparrithe leader of We Moderates and president of the Let’s Build the Future Foundation, Maurizio Lupi, Antonio GiordanoDeputy of Fratelli d’Italia and General Secretary of Ecr,Matteo Gelmettisenator of FdI and General Secretary of the Fare Futuro Foundation, in addition to conservative intellectuals, Fabrizio Tatarella e Francesco Giubileiand the scientific director of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Italia, Francesca Traldi.

In opening the proceedings, the director of AGI Rita Lofano underlined “the centrality and importance of comparison of ideasfundamental for the center-right to define an agenda in view of the next elections, especially in light of the current one geopolitical context marked by the return of the great powers”.

The role of foundations in the international phase

Wolvesin his speech, underlined how the work started today by the centre-right represents “only the beginning of a journey, in an international context characterized by a strong acceleration”. Global tensions, from the clash between the United States and China to the economic and trade crises, show how today “economic war can be as devastating as an armed conflict, with a Europe that risks being crushed”. And in this scenario, highlighted the leader of We Moderates, the foundations they carry out a decisive role as “pre-political” places, capable of developing thoughts and providing tools for politics. Because only by recovering a common ideal basis, he added, can European countries strengthen their unity.

Historical roots and political memory

Maurizio Gasparri recalled the need “to continue to valorise the historical roots of the centre-right, also therefore from a cultural point of view, retracing the difficulties that preceded the birth of the coalition born from the brilliant intuition of Silvio Berlusconiwarning against the risks of factionalism”. Gasparri also recalled how “the creation of the modern centre-right represents a crucial step in Italian political history”, underlining the importance of transmitting this memory to the new generations. And to do this, he warned, “we need a solid cultural basisbecause without any political project it can stand the test of time.”

Coalition Unit and European Laboratory

The theme of unity was also at the center of the reflections of Antonio Giordanowho highlighted how “the current government represents not only the expression of leadership, but the result of one coalition articulated and complementary”. In this perspective, Italy is described as a “political laboratory” for Europe: a model in which popular, conservative and identity forces manage to govern together, maintaining a balance between pragmatism and values.

Foundations as a compass for government action

The FdI senator and General Secretary of the Fare Futuro Foundation,Matteo Gelmetti, he then reiterated the role of foundations as “compass” for government action, underlining how, in a phase of rapid change, executives are often called upon to respond immediately, and foundations, where discussion is constant and continuous, can help dictate the course.

Plurality and cultural synthesis

Finally, the final key point was the recognition of plurality internal to the centre-right and of the role played by the foundations in building a synthesis. Francesco Giubilei e Fabrizio Tatarella they have therefore highlighted how these spaces represent fundamental places of discussion and training, capable of bringing together different sensitivities without canceling them, and, from this perspective, they therefore become essential tools to prevent individualities from transforming into individualisms, instead contributing to building a shared vision.