The two biggest Italian opposition
groups, the Democratic Party (PD) and 5-Star Movement (M5S),
bickered on Saturday over how to build an alternative to the
ruling alliance led by Premier Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing
Brothers of Italy (FdI) party.
During a PD assembly in Rome, Secretary Elly Schlein reiterated
her appeal for the opposition parties to join forces.
"We cannot spend this year with each one of us focusing on our
own business and postponing the work of building an alternative,
which we owe to our people, until the eve of the next general
election," Schlein said.
But M5S Vice President and former Turin mayor Chiara Appendino
suggested the appeal lacked credibility, accusing the PD of
"betraying" the progressive cause on several fronts, such as
voting in favour of Raffaele Fitto, a FdI member, becoming
European Commission Vice President, and support for military aid
for Ukraine.
"In addition to calling for unity, we must be stubbornly
coherent," Appendino said. "Words and appeals are not enough.
"Let's not run away from the problems, dear Elly, assume your
responsibilities.
"To beat this right we need a credible alternative, we need to
be stubbornly pacifist, environmentalist and progressive.
"Deeds count, not the labels".
During her address, Schlein had blasted the "fabulous world of
Meloni on stage at Atreju," referring to the ongoing festival
organized by the FdI's youth branch.
She accused the premier of peddling "propaganda gimmicks that
tell us that the country is on a roll".
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