Center-left: primaries by February and mobilization against the maneuver

There is still no date for the primaries, but the deadline for assembling the gazebos is the end of February. The green light was given during the three-hour meeting between the leaders of the progressive camp, “characterized by an excellent atmosphere”, as reported. Remote meeting, via video call, during which some of the main issues of the coalition were resolved, at least in terms of the roadmap towards the elections: first the discussion on the programme, to be started next week. Then, in December, the united demonstration against the high cost of living, simultaneously with the parliamentary battle over the budget. Finally, the primaries to be celebrated within the month of February.

This does not mean, it is clarified by those who were present at the proceedings, that the primaries cannot be held much earlier. It is only a final limit that holds together different sensitivities. The president of the 5 Star Movement, in fact, has always urged his allies to proceed quickly towards the consultations, however encountering greater caution especially in the Democratic Party, while Avs has always shown itself to be somewhat disinterested in the gazebo issue, focusing more on the programme.

Progressive camp, the perimeter of the coalition

But going in order. The perimeter: “The opposition forces represented in Parliament who share the urgency of building a government alternative to the right will participate at the tables”, reads the note signed by Elly Schlein, Giuseppe Conte, Nicola Fratoianni and Angelo Bonelli.

A formula that also includes the new components that have been formed in recent days thanks to the ‘loans’ of those elected now by one or the other political force: in addition to Italia Viva and Più Europa, there is Progetto Civico by Alessandro Onorato with Avanti-Psi by Enzo Maraio who formed the component of the mixed group in the Senate with the contribution of Luigi Nave, former M5s senator. There will also be Rifondazione Comunista, with Maurizio Acerbo, thanks to the passage of the now former Pd senator Andrea Crisanti.

Coalition program by November and demonstration in December

With these forces, starting next week, “the discussion will begin to define the coalition program by November”, explain the leaders of the Pd-M5s-Avs triad. A work that will continue while Parliament is busy with the budget law. And to take this battle out of the palace, the four leaders have agreed to organize a joint demonstration to be held by December, before Christmas, also so as not to ‘cover up’ the general strike called by the CGIL on 20 November.

“We have agreed to organize in the month of December, while this terrible maneuver is being discussed, a national mobilization for the alternative to four years of Meloni government which have produced high prices for living, growth close to zero and increased inequalities”, we read in the joint statement: “The demonstration will be shared with the opposition forces and will be open to the social forces of the country and civil society”, they underline.

According to what we learn, the date being discussed is Saturday 12 December (but the discussion on this is still ongoing).

Center-left primaries by February: voting also open online

Finally, the primaries which “will be held within the month of February with the aim of making it an important event of democratic participation, in order to ensure a leadership that is fully supported by every force in the progressive camp”.

Open primaries, certainly, with the participation of members and non-members. The rules have not yet been formalized, although it seems obvious that voting will take place both in person and online, after appropriate measures, such as pre-registration, to protect oneself from any attempts at ‘pollution’.

Note, then, the passage on support for the leadership that will emerge from this path. Preventing everything from being reduced to a “rustic duel” is a need repeatedly highlighted by the M5S president, but also by the red-green leaders and parts of the Democratic Party who fear that a two-horse race could politically weaken the loser.