Elly Schlein sharpens tone, clashes with party leaders over primaries and a ‘federator’

Elly Schlein appeared in a sleek, silk suit at Palazzo Chigi, signalling a shift to a more assertive approach toward internal dissent. She publicly challenged senior Democratic officials and Giuseppe Conte, who has suggested appointing a “federator” - possibly Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri - to bind the Campo largo alliance. Schlein insisted that any primary must be fully open, with both in-person and online voting, while dismissing fears that Russian actors could manipulate the process.

Conte reiterated his hard line on Ukraine, refusing to send weapons to Kyiv and questioning the binary view of the conflict. He also warned that Matteo Renzi should be excluded from the coalition, comparing him to a historic plague, as Giorgia Meloni seeks votes in Sicily from Cateno De Luca. Schlein concluded she is ready to run for prime minister with or without a primary, underscoring the growing rift within the centre-left camp.