Cernobbio Rejects the Broad Opposition Alliance: Leaders Say “Meloni Has Failed”

The broad opposition alliance arrived at the Cernobbio economic forum hoping to persuade businesses that it can govern Italy. The audience, however, gave Giorgia Meloni’s government a clear advantage in a morning poll, approving its work by 68% and rejecting the opposition’s performance by 83%.

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Meloni has failed.

Elly Schlein, Giuseppe Conte, Angelo Bonelli and Matteo Renzi appeared together, while Carlo Calenda was absent after objecting to the presence of Roberto Vannacci. The opposition leaders insisted that their team was united and could offer the country an alternative focused on growth. Their common verdict on the government was blunt: “Meloni has failed.”

The coalition plans to meet in September to define its program. Its leaders repeated the formula “first the program, then the leadership,” while Schlein said they would be ready regardless of when Italy votes. She argued that the country faces zero growth despite the recovery fund, falling industrial production, job losses, Europe’s lowest salaries and high energy bills. She also criticized what she called the government’s ideological opposition to renewables.

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First the program, then the leadership.

Schlein presented a five-part proposal for using 14 billion euros in energy flexibility. It includes 2 billion euros for replacing boilers with heat pumps, 3 billion for improving public housing, 4 billion to help companies electrify medium- and low-temperature industrial processes, 3 billion for local public transport and 2 billion for storage networks, batteries and electric charging points. She also called for faster renewable-energy approvals and urged an advance in European integration rather than what she called defeatism.

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We will work to convince Italians that we are not destined for this decline.

Conte said he remained more determined than ever to create a national sovereign development fund. He pointed to unused state assets and private savings as resources for a concrete growth program. The government, meanwhile, said parliament could approve nuclear legislation in the coming days, with decrees expected by the end of the year.

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Stop the defeatism about the European Union.