How to choose a premier: The center-left's saga from primaries to 'who is best'

The Italian center-left coalition is navigating a complex and evolving process to select its candidate for prime minister, cycling through various proposed models. Initially, there was discussion about holding open primaries, similar to a popular vote, to choose a leader. However, the approach has shifted, with Giuseppe Conte, the leader of the Five Star Movement, now suggesting a more closed-door decision-making process, akin to how regional candidates are chosen.

This marks the fourth distinct model proposed for selecting a premier within the coalition's recent history. The first, famously used in 1996, involved selecting a widely respected figure like Romano Prodi, dubbed the 'foreign pope,' to unite the party against Silvio Berlusconi. Another method was the direct election of the Democratic Party's secretary, who would then automatically become the prime ministerial candidate. The center-right's model, where the leader of the party securing the most votes takes the premiership, is also noted, though electoral law changes might necessitate pre-election candidate declarations.

The current debate centers on Conte's "regional model," where party leaders would convene to decide on the "most competitive" candidate, which Conte clearly believes is himself. This raises questions about who would participate in such a decision, given the uncertain composition of the "broad field" coalition. The article also recalls the 2005 center-left primaries, a rare instance of a coalition-wide selection process, which saw Romano Prodi win decisively with over 70% of the vote from more than 4 million participants.

“

il posto in palio è uno solo. Chi cederebbe a chi?