Schlein's primary strategy: Conte will have fewer arguments now

Italian Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein asserts that a recent resolution on national defense spending has effectively neutralized Giuseppe Conte's ability to campaign on rearmament during the upcoming primaries. Schlein conveyed to her party that this resolution prevents Conte from cornering them on military spending, a critical issue for her 2027 primary campaign.

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With this resolution, Conte will no longer be able to try to corner us with the story of rearmament, he no longer has room to campaign on the primaries with that line.

Despite reports suggesting Conte's victory in the debate, Schlein is willing to accept this framing to maintain focus on the primaries. She stated that while some perceive her as yielding to Conte, she is actually preventing internal party disputes that would benefit Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the right-wing coalition. Schlein emphasized the need for unity within the coalition, even as the party navigates internal disagreements.

The party is now shifting its focus to the organizational aspects of the primaries, with plans to finalize a common center-left program by late October and hold the primaries in January. The goal is to prevent a repeat of the 2022 election, where a divided coalition led to Meloni's victory. Discussions are ongoing regarding the primary format, including whether to use a single or double round of voting and whether to allow online participation, a move favored by the Five Star Movement to offset their weaker ground mobilization.

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I know they think I'm indulging Conte, but that's not the case at all. On the contrary. Besides, we are all together in the coalition, and arguing among ourselves now would be doing Meloni and the right a favor.

Schlein remains confident in her strategy, viewing the resolution as a way to counter Conte's influence. While the Five Star Movement opposes military aid to Kyiv, Schlein believes that Italy and Europe must maintain a clear stance on the issue, especially for those aspiring to govern. She is looking beyond immediate party squabbles towards the primary date, aiming to consolidate her position within the party.

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I see no alternative