Flavio Zanonato: 'This Pd is presumptuous, like this we risk a thrashing like in Venice. Losing Padova too would be dramatic'

Flavio Zanonato, a former mayor of Padova and ex-minister, has sharply criticized his own Democratic Party (Pd), warning of a potential electoral disaster if its current arrogant attitude persists. Zanonato, who served four terms as mayor and was also a Member of the European Parliament, stated that the party's presumption mirrors the complacency seen before a significant loss in Venice. He fears that losing the upcoming mayoral election in Padova would be "dramatic" for the entire center-left coalition.

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I want to make one thing clear. If I vented in that world, giving voice to many other people, it wasn't to cause trouble. I did it, instead, to point out some problems and to prevent that in a few months, if things go wrong, people will tell me that it's too easy to talk after the fact.

Zanonato expressed concern over the party's internal dynamics, particularly questioning the leadership vision of potential candidates. He cited Andrea Micalizzi, a former deputy mayor, as someone who, despite having public recognition and the ability to connect with people, may lack the broader vision needed to lead a major city. Zanonato emphasized that a mayoral candidate must be able to mobilize not only their base but also intermediate bodies like businesses, unions, and associations.

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Looking at next year's administrative elections, I notice the same presumptuous attitude of those who take victory for granted that I saw in Venice before the vote two months ago: they thought they would win easily, while then they took a memorable beating. Losing even in Padova, for the center-left at all levels, would be dramatic.

He also alluded to internal party maneuvering, suggesting that certain positions are exchanged for silence. Zanonato's critique stems from his belief that the party is taking victory for granted, relying on a seemingly good candidate rather than a robust strategy. He fears this approach could lead to another significant electoral defeat, similar to the one experienced in Venice.

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The system set up by the 'cacique' works like this: some positions in exchange for silence.