Renzi: 'The broad field? It's too small for us; only a united center-left wins'

Matteo Renzi, a prominent Italian politician, is strongly advocating for a broad center-left coalition, asserting that excluding reformist elements will lead to electoral defeat. Renzi believes that the "Campo largo" (broad field) strategy, exemplified by the alliance between the Democratic Party (Pd), Five Star Movement (M5S), and Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (Avs), is mathematically and politically flawed.

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I have the certainty that the bloc alone Pd–M5S–Avs will lose the elections. The broad field loses, the united center-left wins. Mathematics says so, politics says so, common sense says so.

"The broad field loses, the united center-left wins," Renzi stated, emphasizing the need for reformist votes. He expressed concern that moderates and productive classes, alienated by current political figures, might drift towards the center-right or support fringe candidates like Vannacci. Renzi's stance contrasts with the recent gathering in Naples, where he was not present, as he believes his group's focus is on ideas rather than seeking political positions.

Renzi also addressed foreign policy, unequivocally condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He dismissed Conte's view that Russia is not a threat, stating, "Russia invaded Ukraine and this is a fact, moreover a criminal fact, not a Western narrative." He called for a more credible European foreign policy, including a special EU envoy to broker a just peace for Kyiv, arguing that sanctions and arms alone are insufficient.

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We are for the center-left, not for the Pd–M5S–Avs bloc. Reformists do not beg for spaces, they propose ideas.

Despite acknowledging potential foreign policy differences within a future government, Renzi pointed to common ground on domestic issues such as wages, support for young people, Industry 4.0, and healthcare. He contrasted this with the center-right, where he sees greater divergence on Ukraine between figures like Meloni and Salvini, and the unpredictable influence of Trump.

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Russia invaded Ukraine and this is a fact, moreover a criminal fact, not a Western narrative. People in Kyiv are dying under Russian bombs. Are we forgetting this?