Italy's centre-left starts joint programme work with ten thematic tables

A first meeting by video call

On Saturday, 7 November, the centre-left coalition held its first joint meeting on a government programme. It took place by video call, but for the first time the whole alliance sat in the same session. The Democratic Party (Pd), the Five Star Movement (M5S), Avs and Italia Viva were joined by Più Europa, Più Uno and Progetto Civico, which works with the Italian Socialist Party (PSI). The meeting ran a little over two hours and set a roadmap and a working method. Ten thematic tables will be created, each staffed by representatives of the parties that handle its subject.

The subjects range from common defence and labour to immigration, security, school, artificial intelligence and healthcare. The sub-tables were expected to begin meeting around the middle of the week, and the calendar was still being arranged so that sessions would not overlap.

Contentious files left to the tables

Ukraine will be handled by the table on peace, common European defence and foreign policy. The wealth tax falls under the table on economics, fiscal justice, industrial policy, innovation and growth. Neither topic has a dedicated table, even though they are the points that divide the allies most. The joint note says the work will build on what has already been done in parliament and on proposals from forces outside it.

The joint statement describes the first phase as an effort to set the basis of a government project built on the country's economic, social and democratic priorities by late November. Chiara Braga and Francesco Boccia represent the Pd, Riccardo Ricciardi and Luca Pirondini the M5S, Luana Zanella and Peppe De Cristofaro Avs, and Maria Elena Boschi and Raffaella Paita Italia Viva. Benedetto Della Vedova speaks for Più Europa, Bruno Tabacci for Più Uno, Marco Mistretta for Progetto Civico and Gerardo Labellarte for the PSI.

Schlein, Calenda and a third bloc

Pd secretary Elly Schlein said the programme work would run alongside the opposition's joint work in parliament.

“We will fight alongside the other opposition parties, because this budget needs to be completely rewritten.”

Carlo Calenda, secretary of Azione, announced that a third bloc called Il Centro will run in the next general election. It is open to liberals, liberal socialists, popular and reformist forces. The shape of the blocs took form at two events: the progressives' video call and a meeting in Bologna promoted by Europeisti.eu and Azione, held with Pina Picierno's Spazio Pubblico.

Leader choice, the draft and the Rome race

ANSA reports that the candidate to face Giorgia Meloni for Palazzo Chigi will be chosen in primaries by February. Fanpage reports that naming the coalition leader was pushed back to early next year, so the two accounts differ on timing. A draft programme is meant to reach the leaders by the end of November, with 30 November marked as the target date.

Michele de Pascale, president of Emilia-Romagna, welcomed the start with the word 'Finalmente'. He said the process should go ahead without vetoes but with rigorous work on the programme.

“In February we should have the choice of the figure, the personality, that the centre-left will propose to lead the government.”

Roberto Gualtieri launched his bid for re-election as Rome mayor in 2027 under the slogan 'Roma, avanti tutti'. The event at the Auditorium della Conciliazione had Elly Schlein in the front row, and representatives of the Pd, Italia Viva, Avs, the M5S and Azione attended. Gualtieri said he wanted M5S and Azione figures to join the challenge.

“My aim is for the friends from M5S and Azione who are present here to be part of this challenge.”

M5S deputy Francesco Silvestri said any agreement for Rome would come only after a shared programme for the city. Avs leader Nicola Fratoianni said his alliance had pushed content before leadership, and listed wages, school, education, the ecological transition and international law among its priorities.