The leader of Italy’s Democratic Party (PD), Elly Schlein, is celebrating significant victories in regional elections, including the Emilia-Romagna and Umbria races, where her party’s candidates secured decisive wins. Speaking in Perugia, Schlein emphasized the importance of coalition unity in defeating the right-wing bloc. “We’ve shown that an alternative to the right exists,” she stated, highlighting the PD’s 43% share in Emilia-Romagna and over 30% in Umbria, outperforming past elections. “Meloni, we’re coming for you,” she added with a confident smile.
Schlein credited the victories to two key factors: humility and unity. She praised candidates Stefania Proietti and Michele de Pascale for their grounded campaigns focused on public concerns, particularly healthcare. “Many voters who had turned to the other side came back, trusting the seriousness of our proposals,” she explained. Despite these successes, Schlein acknowledged the persistent challenge of voter abstention, describing it as a “wound to democracy” that the PD is determined to address through outreach to disengaged communities.
On coalition dynamics, Schlein dismissed concerns of discord among allies, such as opposition from the Left-Green Alliance to including Matteo Renzi’s centrist party. “We’re not fixated on boundaries. Voters want us to address their issues, not internal debates,” she said, outlining ongoing joint initiatives, including calls for increased public healthcare funding, equal parental leave, and industrial policy reforms. Schlein also criticized the government’s economic measures, labeling its budget as “recessionary” and accusing the right-wing administration of neglecting vital sectors like the automotive industry.
Looking ahead, Schlein declared her intention to shorten the government’s tenure. “They’ve passed three budgets with no vision or investment, squandering resources. Their focus on a symbolic bridge over the Strait of Messina speaks volumes about misplaced priorities,” she said. While Schlein’s PD has emerged stronger in every election under her leadership, she reiterated her commitment to collaboration, stating, “We have no illusions of going it alone. Our mission is clear: to build a unified and credible opposition.”
