Manduria Forum: Vannacci's 'Incursion' Sparks Debate on Center-Right Alliance; Lollobrigida Dismisses, Calenda Warns of National Security Threat

The potential political maneuvering of Roberto Vannacci, a figure associated with the League party, has ignited debate among Italian politicians. Carlo Calenda, leader of the Azione party, expressed strong concerns about Vannacci potentially joining the center-right coalition.

“

Vannacci will go to the center-right, he will do it at the last minute to avoid creating problems. But it will end like this, it's an open secret.

Calenda believes Vannacci will eventually align with the center-right, despite current tensions. He warned that such an alliance, stretching from Forza Italia to Vannacci, would pose a "gigantic national security problem." Calenda specifically linked Vannacci to "the Kremlin's spokesman," suggesting a problematic foreign policy alignment if Putin is considered an enemy.

Francesco Lollobrigida, a minister and member of Brothers of Italy, echoed the party line, stating that Vannacci is acting independently and has "voted no confidence in the government." He asserted that an alliance with Vannacci is "not on the agenda." However, Calenda remains unconvinced, predicting that all parties will eventually unite.

“

An alliance from Tajani to Vannacci will create a gigantic national security problem.

The controversy unfolded during the "Forum in masseria" event organized by Bruno Vespa and Comin and partners in Manduria. The discussion also touched upon electoral law, with Calenda criticizing the current proposal as "suicidal" and likely to force coalitions to include disparate elements, including Vannacci.

“

Vannacci is doing his own thing and is doing it alongside the left-wing parties, which convinces us very little. He distanced himself from the majority by voting no confidence in the government. An alliance with him is not on the agenda.

Calenda also critiqued the opposition's "broad field," dominated by the Five Star Movement and Greens and Left Alliance, for lacking a clear foreign policy stance and failing to advocate for a stronger Europe. He suggested that even figures like Matteo Renzi might shift allegiances, potentially aligning with Vannacci in the future. To counter this, Calenda announced plans for a centrist-moderate event in Milan to create a civic and political platform for "Europeans."

“

The center-right has written a suicidal electoral law. If it passes, it will force the coalition to include everything and its opposite. And among these, even the Kremlin's spokesman Roberto Vannacci. And this will be a national security problem because Putin is our enemy.