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The outsider's workshops: Calenda-Picierno tandem, Onorato, or the Di Battista card
🇮🇹 Italy /Elections & Politics

The outsider's workshops: Calenda-Picierno tandem, Onorato, or the Di Battista card

From Corriere della Sera · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Italian politics is seeing a surge of "outsider" candidates and new political movements ahead of upcoming elections.
  • Key figures include former associates of Beppe Grillo, a far-right general, and various centrist figures forming new alliances.
  • The political landscape is described as highly uncertain, with potential shifts in alliances and vote counts significantly impacting outcomes.

Italy's political scene is buzzing with activity as numerous "outsider" candidates and nascent political movements prepare for upcoming elections. The landscape is fragmented, featuring a wide array of figures from across the political spectrum, including former allies of comedian Beppe Grillo and the controversial far-right general Roberto Vannacci.

On the left, Beppe Grillo and Alessandro di Battista are reportedly exploring new ventures, potentially positioning themselves against the Five Star Movement. Meanwhile, General Vannacci is attempting to establish his "Futuro nazionale" (National Future) movement, incorporating figures from the early 2000s social right, such as Gianni Alemanno.

We will be decisive anyway. Every vote for Calenda, for example, is a masked vote for Giorgia Meloni. While a vote for us is essential to make the center-left win, as happened in the last Rome municipal elections. If I hadn't supported Gualtieri, Calenda would have reached the runoff and history would have changed

— Alessandro OnoratoExpressing confidence in his political movement's ability to influence election outcomes and recalling past successes.

The center is particularly crowded. Ismaele La Vardera, formerly of the TV show "Le Iene," has joined Alessandro Onorato's Civic Project, which aligns with the center-left. Carlo Calenda and Pina Picierno, both former Democratic Party members, are forming a reformist list aiming for 3% outside the main blocs. Matteo Renzi remains an unpredictable force, reportedly preparing a backup plan that includes potential candidacies within the Democratic Party lists while also exploring other options.

These emerging figures and movements are navigating a political environment described as the most uncertain in decades. The article highlights how even small shifts in alliances or vote margins could drastically alter election results, turning potential victories into defeats and vice versa. Figures like Onorato express confidence in their ability to influence the outcome, citing their network of local administrators as a key asset.

My wife caught me. She understood that every vacation spot was chosen for a purpose

— Alessandro OnoratoHinting at the strategic nature of his personal activities, possibly related to political networking.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Corriere della Sera in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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