Are you ready for some political drama? The upcoming European elections have sparked a heated exchange between Premier Giorgia Meloni and Pd leader Elly Schlein. Forget TV debates, these two have resorted to a daily exchange of accusations and rebuttals.
This time, Premier Meloni kicks things off by reviving her column, ‘Appunti di Giorgia’, but cheekily renaming it ‘TeleMeloni’ complete with on-screen graphics. “The only TeleMeloni is this one – she declares – everything else is fake news. The issue isn’t the existence of TeleMeloni but the absence of TelePd, because we are providing real public service.” But it’s in the closing moments of the video that the Premier gets tough, accusing Schlein of lacking substance in her criticisms of the government. In response, Schlein wasted no time hitting back, while even Giuseppe Conte challenged the Prime Minister to a TV showdown.
Sporting a light blue jacket and addressing the camera directly, the Premier covers key political issues of the week, from the superbonus to income measurement to the recent agreement with Albania on CPRs. She then poses a direct question to Schlein. “The Pd Secretary – she states – has accused me of eroding people’s freedoms, a curious accusation coming from someone who endorsed measures to keep people locked at home during the pandemic. I challenge Schlein to name one freedom this government has taken away.” Meloni lists the freedoms being upheld by her government, such as the right to vote, support for employment, and the freedom to balance work and family. “Give us something concrete – she challenges the Pd Secretary – because freedoms have always been restricted by the left and citizens have seen through it.”
Soon enough, Schlein fires back: “If you have a poverty wage and can’t pay rent – she emphasizes – you’re not truly free, whereas the Meloni government blocked proposals for a minimum wage and cut rental funding by €330 million.” And entering the fray is ex-Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. “Giorgia – the M5s leader says – instead of avoiding a debate with me, you’re now targeting Schlein over pandemic lockdowns. What does Schlein have to do with it? She had no role. If you want to talk about this, let’s meet at Mentana’s or wherever you like, and I’ll explain everything.”
After her morning meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, the Premier returns to social media in a week that has seen tensions rise within the coalition on various issues. The income measurement, in particular, and the superbonus. With allies – starting with Forza Italia – making their voices heard with clarifications and distinctions. The Premier draws attention to both issues. On the income measurement, she explains that the suspension of the ministerial decree aims to consider two options: “abolishing the synthetic assessment” for taxpayers entirely or “limiting this tool to major tax evasion cases.” However, the blues have already laid out their choice: an abrogative amendment to “repeal the outdated and obsolete rules that establish income measurement”. As for the superbonus, Meloni reiterates that the latest decree was necessary to continue curbing the “avalanche” caused by the bonus on public finances. And even the 10-year tax deductibility, opposed by FI but defended by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, “allows to spread the expenses for the state and is perfectly consistent with other deductions”. On the other hand – the Premier accuses – the construction bonuses have led to a “very high cost and minimal benefit with a price tag of €200 billion, more than the entire recovery and resilience plan.”
Agenzia ANSA Schlein to Meloni: ‘Italy is divided by autonomy’ – News – Ansa.it The Dem secretary: “We will stop it, thereby also stopping the premiership” (ANSA)
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