The sidereal distance of the last few weeks seems like a distant memory. Deluchians and anti-Deluchanists go hand in hand (see Nello Mastursi and Sandro Ruotolo), De Luca senior and Fico sthey embraced warmly before rallying under the stage: “Good luck, wow,” said the first to the second sincerely. And his direction is guarded down to the smallest detail to prevent old pent-up jealousies from resurfacing. Therefore, the front row seats of the various leaders are nominative and cannot be changed.
Roberto Fico in the center with his partner and to his left Giuseppe Conte, Elly Schlein, Fratoianni and Bonelli with the mayor Manfredi; to the right of Piero De Luca, the outgoing governor and then Renzian BoschiThe socialist Maraio and the radical Magi. Oh my God, no armchairs for Mastella. However it was to be expected and a telegram from him arrived which read at the beginning: «I greet everyone with affection but I have a cold which has stopped me». And we can leave, even if we’re an hour late. And if initially the schedule was reserved only for speeches by the leaders of the largest parties, in the end it was decided to give everyone a chance.
Regional Campania, Schlein in Naples for the close of the Fico campaign: welcome from Vincenzo De Luca
Leaders
Mediterranean Theatre packed even though it was raining it hit Naples last nightcandidates and militants entered diligently. Ordered. M5 leader Conte arrived first, soon after Schlein who passed Antonio Bassolino and they stopped for a chat. The atmosphere is relaxed, calm, those who know that the odds are on their side. And everyone is already thinking about how this alliance can also be replicated at the national level in 2027. “I have a very positive feeling, there is a good separation: the coalition is compact and cohesive and there is the presence of all the national leaders for the first time”, said, not surprisingly, Mayor Gaetano Manfredi upon entering. And Piero De Luca, regional secretary of the Democratic Party: «The work of building a real alternative to the Meloni government starts here». “We have worked in this region as in other regional competitions, then we will start building up to the national game”, reasoned Conte from yesterday morning in Naples to help Fico in the final mile. “One day you all saw everyone jumping onto the center-right stage: I found that image a bit old-fashioned, but – instead of it being Schlein’s sword slash as soon as he arrived – I have to say that it was even more old-fashioned to remove Silvio Berlusconi’s building amnesty in 2003 four days before the election.” Then we start with the interventions of the smaller parties and each party citing the good work of the decade at Palazzo Santa Lucia. And De Luca, in the front row, was clearly pleased with that.
«Roberto Fico is the biggest challenge for renewal that we can offer the citizens of Campania”, was Schlein’s start. And he immediately commented: «And this can rely not only on the unified support of the Democratic Party, of our entire progressive coalition, but also on the experience, efforts and important results of the regional government of recent years despite the efforts of the government which has tried in every way to hinder these results. And for this I would like to personally thank Vincenzo De Luca. And then Manfredi who knows how to govern well with a broad and united coalition.”
Campania Regional, Cirielli: «Female vice president for cultural change, it is not a symbolic choice»
And then look to the future after that this regional laboratory it has become something more: «We are all building this progressive coalition together and this is the first time in twenty years: but this is not only to defeat the far right but also for the ideas we have about this country. Like the 16 unitary amendments we tabled in the Budget.” Schlein’s call for unity was powerful a demonstration that the Campania match is very important and strategic for the future of the entire Campo largo. And it is no coincidence that all the center-left leaders were seen together on the same stage under the shadow of Vesuvius. In fact, everyone underlined the line of unity in seeing their policy of intervention: from Boschi to Maraio and Magi, passing Fratoianni and Bonelli who emphasized: «From today many people have to get used to seeing us together and change starts from these regional head elections». Then Schlein mentioned three battles, health care, schools and jobs, before attacking Autonomy: «The real battle is this – he said, turning to Fico – because they included it in Maneuvers to avoid the decision of the Constitutional Court». Then he concluded: «Dear Roberto, we want you as president: let us win together in Campania and then win together in Italy».
«They got the old amnesty from 2003 – he immediately attacked M5 leader Conte – to gather consensus, thinking about making fun of the Campanians. But in fact it is the government that cuts funds for rent, it is the government that cuts funds for subsidized mortgages, for our young generation who want to buy their first home.” And again: «In this election campaign they insulted our Roberto who, since he became involved in these institutions, has cut 700 thousand euros between his salary and office allowances in accordance with the code of conduct, to put him back in work and projects for the local community. Who as president of the Council fought to cut annuities, an old privilege of politicians, and against many politicians.” In the middle he attacked those who “came here to make a leap and leave” and took on Salvini: “Are you saying that he will not give the keys to his house to Roberto? Allow me, this is a careless statement, as Salvini often makes: namely, they have a minister in the government who – adds the former prime minister – is accused of fraud against Covid funds, against the State, and also bankruptcy and fleeing trial. But thank you, the voters of Campania will decide who will give him the keys to the house and not Salvini.” Then Fico closed, before everyone hugged each other, waiting for the vote. “But on Monday – this is what the gubernatorial candidates want – we will win.”
