(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 14 - 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". (ANSA).