Politics · Italy · 5 hrs ago
Elly Schlein says she is ready to lead Italy's centre-left election bid
Elly Schlein said she is ready to be the Democratic Party’s candidate for prime minister, speaking at the party’s national assembly in Rome.
She said she would lead the party with or without a primary election, leaving open whether members will vote to choose the candidate.
Schlein leads Italy’s Democratic Party, which is seeking to win the next national election.
She called on other progressive groups to join talks on a shared programme, saying a draft resolution already covers 21 economic and social policy points.
She argued the alliance should stay united rather than seek broader deals with other political forces.
Schlein said the centre-left needs to widen its alliance and work together to challenge the right.
The groups may continue discussions on their common programme, but no election date or final candidate-selection process was given.
Elly Schlein said she is ready to run for prime minister as the Democratic Party’s candidate, with or without primaries.
She made the announcement at the party’s national assembly in Rome.
Schlein said the party should work with other progressive forces on a shared programme.
She said the alliance should stay united and seek to win the next election rather than pursue broad coalitions.
- Who
- Elly Schlein, secretary of Italy’s Democratic Party.
- What
- She said she is ready to run for prime minister, with or without primaries.
- When
- 18 October 2026.
- Where
- At the Democratic Party’s national assembly in Rome.
- Why
- She said the party has a responsibility to win the next election and change the country.
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- Candidate
- Elly Schlein
- Party
- Democratic Party
- Announcement date
- 18 October 2026
- Location
- Rome
- Primaries
- Schlein said she was ready to run with or without them
4 sources
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Schlein: 'Sono pronta a candidarmi, con o senza le primarie'
What people are saying
I am ready to lead this community and lead it as a candidate for the presidency of the Council of Ministers, with or without primaries
We are here to win with our progressive alliance
I am here, ready, determined, honoured and proud to be able to lead this extraordinary community as a candidate for the presidency of the Council of Ministers, with or without primaries