Schlein dismisses primary debate as 'surreal' amid government divisions

Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein has sharply criticized internal party discussions about primaries, deeming them "surreal" given the current political climate. Speaking at the Rivalta sul Mincio festival in Mantua, Schlein urged her party to focus on concrete needs rather than "useless and harmful debates."

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No, we have already wasted enough time in useless and harmful debates, we prefer to continue to deal with the concrete needs of people.

Schlein pointed to divisions within the Italian government, particularly regarding energy company extra profits and rising fuel prices. She reiterated her proposal to tax these profits, contrasting it with the government's inaction. The secretary also vowed to continue opposing proposed electoral law changes that she believes would create an "abnormal majority bonus" and a "surreptitious attempt to recreate the premiership."

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What would I do in government? I would have the courage to tax the extra profits of energy companies.

Amidst a storm that damaged the festival venue, Schlein also addressed the climate emergency. She criticized the Meloni government for its lack of action over the past four years and called on progressive allies to make climate a program priority. "If we don't act quickly, we risk this being the coolest summer our grandchildren will remember," she warned.

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Together with the other oppositions, we will continue to build a wall to prevent a law from passing that has an abnormal majority bonus and surreptitiously tries to recreate the premiership.

Despite the internal party focus on primaries, Schlein asserted that she maintains constant communication with other progressive leaders and highlighted successful regional and local governance collaborations. She expressed confidence in the alliance's ability to present a united front.

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In four years, the Meloni government has not wanted to do anything about the climate emergency.