What future for progressives?

What is the situation on the political Left in Italy after the birth of the Meloni government? According to Vannino Chiti, a former senator of the Democratic Party and former president of the Tuscany Region, the disappointment of the progressives has not diminished and the divisions persist. In particular, the Democratic Party still lacks a profound and shared analysis of the defeat and of the government experiences from 2013 onwards.

In his latest book "Giving a soul to the Left. Ideas for a profound change" (Guerini and Associates, 2023, pp. 128) Chiti does not stop at mere criticism, however. He proposes a path to restore soul and confidence to the Left starting from three macro-problems that the Left itself must address in order to overcome internal fragmentation and return to speaking to voters: Work (which includes welfare and taxation), the strength and vulnerability of democracy, peace, in the face of the incessant near and far wars. with an eye to young people, their voice and their rights, for a rejuvenation of politics, to which the last part of the volume is dedicated.

Vannino Chiti, what are in your opinion the main reasons for the crisis of the Left in our country?

«The Left is in trouble throughout Europe, not just in Italy. The reasons? The absence of a critique of the development model and the injustices it produces; values not carved in its reference; programs that do not involve the poorest groups, the world of work, skills and do not give hope for the future".

What would you answer to those who say that today's Left is incapable of speaking to the people?

“That's mostly true. It is a question of listening to the basic needs of the people, of putting forward proposals, and also of carrying out a training function. I am thinking of the great principles of the Constitution - freedom, democracy, equality, rights/duties, peace - and the commitment to implement them. To do this you need a party, present in the area. It's not like that today."

Isn't there too much attention on the Left for issues such as immigration, rights and too little for issues such as work, housing, school?

«Immigration must be governed, also responding to the falsehoods and demagoguery of the Right, without giving up on making society more just. We have forgotten our history of emigration. Civil liberties are essential but they cannot be separated - as has often happened - from social rights (health, education, work, housing) otherwise the link with the people and the younger generations is lost. Nor can all wishes become rights.

By what method can the Left be consolidated and given renewed strength?

«I'm referring to Italy: we need to open a constituent phase open to those on the Left, even those who are not members of a party. We need to discuss and decide on values, the company project, programmatic priorities, party form. And it must be done before the European elections: what reform and future for the Union, what social and economic policies, what role for peace».

Does politics still have something to say and to offer in a time like ours in which especially young people appear totally apolitical?

«Young people do not reject politics, but this politics. They need big projects, together with concreteness and coherence. We steal their future. They often feel alone, they take refuge in social media, they feel the future is worse than the present. We often speak to young people, not with young people. On the environment and peace they can become protagonists».