Italy's opposition leader slams PM Meloni, calls for primaries

Puglia is set to become a focal point of Italian politics as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and PD leader Elly Schlein visit the region. Meloni aims to mark her government's longevity, while Schlein will attend the Festa dell'Unità, the PD's annual gathering.

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The prime minister has nothing to celebrate in Bari. Italians are worse off than four years ago, just think of gasoline prices, stagnant wages, and the fact that industrial production has been stalled for over 40 months. I don't know what there is to celebrate.

Domenico De Santis, the PD's regional secretary in Puglia, sharply criticized Meloni's presence. "The prime minister has nothing to celebrate in Bari," he stated, pointing to economic hardships. "Italians are worse off than four years ago," De Santis argued, citing stagnant wages and over 40 months of stalled industrial production.

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I would like to remind myself that democracy in our country was built by personalities like Peppino Di Vittorio, who had no education, and Aldo Moro, who was a university professor. Both were founding fathers, democracy is this. Bonaccini's sentence was misinterpreted and cut out of context to be exploited.

De Santis also addressed recent controversy surrounding PD leader Elly Bonaccini's remarks about voters. He defended Bonaccini, suggesting her comments were misrepresented. "Democracy in our country was built by personalities like Peppino Di Vittorio, who had no formal education, and Aldo Moro, a university professor," De Santis said, highlighting that both were key figures in drafting Italy's constitution. He asserted that Bonaccini's statement was taken out of context to be exploited.

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We have been doing it for four years, since I became secretary. This year we have extended the days because we want to discuss all the issues that concern people's lives.

Looking ahead, De Santis framed the Festa dell'Unità in Puglia as a prelude to the next election campaign. The event, extended this year, will delve into issues affecting citizens' lives. He highlighted an upcoming debate between governors Antonio Decaro and Roberto Fico, emphasizing that Puglia and Campania should be the starting points for challenging the current government. De Santis also expressed support for primaries to select the party's candidate for prime minister, provided electoral law changes mandate such a process.

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From Puglia and Campania, the challenge to win the next election must start.