From the bank of the river where he is sitting (or rather, where he is agitated: he cannot sit still), Matteo Renzi has seen the end of the investigations into his family pass, the crisis of whoever replaced him at the helm of the Democratic Party, the difficulties of those who wanted to create the Center without trusting him. Now the former prime minister, who will speak at the T-Hotel in Cagliari today from 4pm, hopes to reap the fruits of his war of position: the objective is always the ancient one of representing the needle of the political balance. Even in Sardinia, where the leader of Italia Viva carefully avoids choosing between the center-right and the broad camp, despite the membership of Anita Pili, councilor in Christian Solinas' council, in IV. «We are waiting for names and candidates – says Renzi – but you will see that we will make a difference».

At what stage is the construction of the Great Center?
«As far as we're concerned it's going very well. Italia Viva is the only alternative to the sovereignism of Salvini and Meloni and the populism of Conte and Schlein."

But what is the political space of Italia Viva? Is there life outside the two great poles?

«At the regional or political elections it is difficult to make your way in a system with a strong majority correction. But in the European elections we are running in the only election based on pure proportional representation. This means that the space for us is enormous."

With Action there is no possibility of recovery?
«I have nothing personal against Calenda: I appointed him minister, ambassador, president of the Federation of the third pole. Imagine that when he didn't have the signatures to run for office, I kindly gave them to him so that he wouldn't be left out of Parliament this time too. He chose to break up with us, after breaking up with Bonino and before that with Letta. Whatever it touches, it breaks. Sin. He was a good deputy minister on Made in Italy, because he is technically good at some things. Unfortunately, politics is not for him."

What is your goal for the European Championships? Is it enough to reach a quorum?
"No. The quorum is not the objective but the tool to make an impact in Europe. If we elect our MEPs, and I believe we will, we are decisive in the nomination game: the presidencies of the Commission, of the Council, of the European Parliament. We need a quorum to play the game in Brussels. This time in Europe we're playing a double game, it's time to send in people capable of making themselves heard at the tables that count."

What European scenario do you hope for? Still the Ursula majority?
"I think so. It is the most probable scenario, and in any case Meloni and Salvini's friends are losing ground, as demonstrated by the recent elections in Spain and Poland. I imagine a balance similar to that of 2019 is likely with the People's Party at the helm of the Commission, the Socialists at the helm of the Parliament and Renew Europe expressed by the President of the European Council".

Your meeting tour, which today takes you to Cagliari, is entitled "Volare Alto": what is the meaning of this slogan?
«The old global geopolitical order no longer exists. From Ukraine to the Holy Land, from Armenia to Niger, from Taiwan to Kosovo, winds of war are increasingly disturbing and world institutions appear incapable of developing a strategy. Those like us who have international experience can offer a contribution, provided we detach ourselves from the unbearable soap operas of recent months, such as those of Calenda or Salvini or Giuseppe Conte. In these meetings we talk about politics, not gossip. We ask that politics be experienced as a great collective dream, not as the egocentric nightmare of presumed leaders in search of visibility. Flying high is the only option for those who don't want to crawl low to the ground like many do."

He reported formal irregularities regarding the maneuver: what is happening?
«The majority argues, and this is part of the physiological dynamics of coalitions: I'm not surprised. But something huge happened on Friday: Deputy Prime Minister Tajani said that the budget law is not yet closed. As it happens, the other deputy prime minister, Salvini, and prime minister Meloni held a press conference on 16 October to announce that the Council of Ministers had approved the law."

And how do you explain it?

«One of two things: either Tajani was there and was sleeping, and then we can worry about Italian diplomacy and the stability of the Farnesina, or someone is lying. We asked President Mattarella to ensure that the Council of Ministers approves a formally flawless text. Because we can discuss the contents, and we will do so in Parliament, but in a democracy form is substance."

In any case, while waiting for the definitive text, you rejected the maneuver. What measures do you contest?
«All those that depress an already limping economy. Starting with the madness of increasing taxes: VAT goes up on diapers, on powdered milk, on sanitary pads, on strollers. And then the coupon and other taxes on the house which go hand in hand with last year's absurdities on petrol and with the 892 million given by Giorgia Meloni to football clubs. There are already variable rate mortgages that are throwing thousands of families into panic, the increase in the cost of living due to the international situation, inflation. Does the government even get involved in raising taxes?"

He said that those increases would not have been seen under Berlusconi. Should we regret the Knight?

«I think it is normal for those who have always voted FI to regret the Cavaliere and today find themselves with the uncertain and wavering leadership of Antonio Tajani. But the issue is political and concerns all of Italian politics. We have a right that, after having promised to lower taxes, increases VAT like any other Enrico Letta did, and we have a left that dreams of property and proclaims the mantra "taxes are beautiful". You understand that in this context we - who made the 80 euros, the abolition of the IMU first home, the cancellation of IRAP - are the only credible ones. If you add to this that they want to remove Padoan's incentives to bring brains back to Italy, the picture becomes worrying."

Investigations into his parents and brother-in-law led nowhere. Does satisfaction or bitterness for the attacks suffered prevail?
«It's a jumble of emotions: there's satisfaction, of course. But the bitterness is not erased by a request for acquittal. And the desire to fight for fair justice remains. Anyone who experiences injustice first-hand knows that scars hurt. But those like me who are not afraid of anyone must fight for those who have no voice. And I will do it with my head held high."

Now Giorgia Meloni is also at the center of the Giambruno case. You expressed solidarity with the prime minister, right?
«I did more. I said that I will never attack Meloni on a personal level, ever. I attack her on taxes, on politics, on Europe. But never about his family. I must admit, however, that when you play the victimhood card, you are wrong. Because if there is a political force that has attacked other people's families - together with the 5 Star Movement - it is Brothers of Italy. We are full of videos in which Meloni, Donzelli and the others attack us on a personal level. We are proud to be different."

Beyond these facts, how do you evaluate Meloni's first year at Palazzo Chigi?
«Giorgia is an excellent influencer: she makes beautiful posts, she looks good in photos, she is empathetic. But he didn't make a single reform. It's time someone started telling him. Kindly, but clearly."

In Sardinia, with the joining of councilor Anita Pili, Iv joined the Solinas council. Does this mean that the opinion on the Council's work is positive? Will you be with the center-right at the regional elections?
«It means that the judgment on Pili's work is positive. As for the future, we have not yet made our assessments. We are waiting for the Cinquestelle to choose the Democratic Party candidate and we are waiting to understand who will win the internal centre-right race. I believe that IV will be decisive and that the candidate we choose will make the difference. We will go to the European Championships alone. At the Regionals we will choose who will be most convincing for the future of Sardinia."

But if so, would IV support the re-nomination of Solinas or other names?
«We are waiting for the names of the two coalitions and we will make our choices».

In the Municipality of Cagliari, however, if Massimo Zedda is re-nominated, will you be with him?
«I have known Massimo for years and I respect him. But the same reasoning applies to him. We will decide after seeing the names and programs. The center will make the difference, you'll see."

Giuseppe Meloni

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