Politics · Italy · 1 day ago
Italian opposition leaders seek shared programme and a way to choose their leader
Leaders of several Italian opposition parties met in Rome at a festival hosted by the newspaper Il Manifesto.
They included Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte and leaders from other smaller parties.
The parties are discussing a broader progressive alliance and want to agree on a common programme.
Schlein said she wants it ready by the end of the year, while Conte said serious talks could finish it in about two weeks.
The leaders still disagree over sending weapons to Ukraine: Schlein and Riccardo Magi support it, while Conte and the other leaders oppose it.
They also have not settled how to choose the alliance’s leader; Conte said they would hold primaries, but all should work together and avoid division.
The parties now plan to negotiate the programme, while questions about Ukraine and leadership remain.
Italian opposition leaders met in Rome to discuss a shared programme and how to choose a coalition leader.
Giuseppe Conte said a serious discussion could produce a programme within two weeks, while Elly Schlein said the goal was to agree on one by the end of the year.
The leaders remained divided over Ukraine, with Schlein and Riccardo Magi supporting arms deliveries and the others opposing them.
Views also differ on how to choose a leader, with Conte saying primaries should be held and Schlein saying she is open to them.
Schlein rejected the idea of broad-based government alliances, saying the opposition should work together.
- Who
- Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte, and leaders of AVS and Più Europa.
- What
- The opposition leaders discussed a shared programme and how to choose a coalition leader.
- When
- At the second La Manifestival; the article was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- At the Il Manifesto festival in Rome.
- Why
- They want to reach agreement on a common programme and work together as an opposition coalition.
Supporters of sending arms to Ukraine
Opponents of sending arms to Ukraine
Ukraine policy
Supporters of sending arms to Ukraine
Schlein and Magi support sending arms to Ukraine.
Opponents of sending arms to Ukraine
Conte, Bonelli, Fratoianni and the other leaders oppose sending arms to Ukraine.
Facendo un confronto serio in un paio di settimane si chiude il programma
Saremo in condizione di trovare un accordo, pur nella differenza delle nostre posizioni
Si faranno le primarie, ma in modo non divisivo, con l'impegno di tutti a lavorare insieme
Io dico: mai più larghe intese
Schlein and Conte met on stage at the Il Manifesto festival in Rome.
Conte said a serious discussion could settle the programme within a couple of weeks.
Schlein said the goal was to have a common programme.
- Meeting place
- Il Manifesto festival, Rome
- Programme target
- Within a couple of weeks, according to Conte
- Schlein's programme goal
- By the end of the year
- Ukraine arms position
- Schlein and Magi support sending arms; the others oppose it
- Leader selection
- Conte said primaries would be held in a non-divisive way
Sources
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