Europeans, Matteo Renzi speaks
Matteo Renzi is ready to leave the Italian Parliament if he is elected in Brussels at the next European elections on 8 and 9 June. In this interview, the leader of Italia viva and former prime minister responds to the key issues of Italian and European politics.
Senator Renzi, have you chosen Europe and will therefore leave the Italian Parliament?
“I am a candidate in the European elections with the United States of Europe list and, if elected, I will leave the Senate to become a European parliamentarian. In 26 out of 27 countries it is normal: those who run, if elected, go to Strasbourg. In Italy alone there are 4 leaders, Meloni, Tajani, Schlein and Calenda, who are running knowing already that they will not go to Europe. This, in my house, means defrauding citizens. And expose Italy to a global fool. I am proud of the fact that we of the United States of Europe are the only serious list in this sense: we are not running to count preferential votes, but so that Italy counts more in Europe and Europe counts more in the world”.
Is this a sign that there is nothing left to do politically for Italy?
“In reverse. Italy needs Europe and Europe needs Italy: today even those who, like Giorgia Meloni, said they would leave the euro have changed their minds. There is no Europe without Italy and there is no Italy without Europe. After that, I am a convinced pro-European but when there was a need, I did not shy away from clashes and criticisms. Europe cannot be the home of bureaucracy. Pay attention: the world is on fire, from Ukraine to the Middle East and the EU isn’t touching the ball. We need to make a change: for this reason, in our symbol you will not find a name but a project for the future, the United States of Europe. United States of Europe means a strong Europe in the world, but also a stronger Italy. Because if there is less Europe, it means that there are more China, India, Brazil etc., not more Italy. And this penalizes all of us, starting from our businesses and our excellence. United States of Europe also means more democracy and less bureaucracy: it means direct election of the president of the commission, reduction in the number of commissioners. It means that in Brussels it will be the citizens who really count.”
In Strasbourg and Brussels, which majority will you work for? Will he support Ursula? Or do you prefer Draghi? Or who for the leadership of Europe?
“Ursula von der Leyen has failed: we will work to prevent her from being re-elected. Her approach is that of a bureaucrat. As for her successor, I would like to see Mario Draghi at the helm of the Commission but also of the Council: I am proud to have sent Giuseppe Conte home and contributed to bringing Draghi to Palazzo Chigi and I claim it.”
If you had a magic wand, what are the three urgent measures you would apply from Brussels?
“The appointment of a special envoy for the diplomatic resolution of conflicts; a leader capable of mediating because diplomacy is needed alongside weapons. When the war broke out in Ukraine, I mentioned the names of Tony Blair or Angela Merkel. The second thing I would ask for is the revision of the Green Deal; the approved text still entails many negative consequences for businesses and families. We need a new strategy to fight climate change and protect jobs. Finally, culture and safety. For every safety initiative, there must be one in culture. Let’s strengthen intelligence, build a common army but also tell and cultivate our cultural roots. The United States of Europe and political Europe cannot be imagined without starting from our history; the Greek and Roman, Christian-Jewish, Renaissance and Humanist roots. Integration comes from discussion and mutual learning, not from the cancellation of each other’s culture as the sovereignists would like, or of one’s own as the woke left would like. This is why I would propose an 18 European app: our young people must be able to nourish themselves with culture, know who they are to open up to the world”.
The Russia-Ukraine war, a problem for everyone, but a big problem for Europe. Who was wrong? Putin? Zelensky? Biden? NATO? Europe? How do you get out of it? How will it end?
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a crime with only one person responsible: Vladimir Putin. Sending weapons and economic support to Kiev, sanctioning Moscow, were measures that we supported and support with conviction. Alongside this, however, from day one we have asked for parallel work in the field of diplomacy, with a special envoy who is a leader, not just any bureaucrat. Because wartime diplomacy also means talking to the bad guys.”
And who was wrong in Israel? How will it end?
“Hamas is the culprit: the terrorist attack of 7 October is a date that cannot be ignored in the analysis of the rights and wrongs. After that, I stand for the principle of ‘two peoples, two states’. Israel has the right and duty to exist. Palestine has the right to a state, but the Palestinians’ worst enemy is Hamas. To get out of the conflict, politics is needed again: leaders are needed. We need to dialogue with the reformist Arab world. Here too, Europe is absent. As envoy to the Gulf we have Luigi Di Maio…”.
When you leave the Italian Parliament, will you leave the leadership of Italia viva?
“No, I’m going to Strasbourg to do more politics, not to disengage”.
A summary of your political action in Italy: what are you proud of? What does he regret?
“I am proud of our government’s reforms, from the 80 euros to the Jobs Act to industry 4.0, from the cancellation of the IMU on the first home to the cancellation of the agricultural income tax, to the laws on autism and what comes after us. I am proud to have sent Giuseppe Conte home and contributed to the arrival of Mario Draghi. But perhaps the thing that makes me happiest is having had the opportunity to be mayor in my city, Florence. Regrets? Everyone would say the referendum. But I would do that referendum again, because the constitutional reform serves and served Italy, not Renzi. In reality, if there is one thing I wouldn’t do again, it is to naively think ‘do no harm, do not be afraid’: after having dealt with some robes, I can say that this principle was completely wrong. And that ultimately Berlusconi wasn’t so wrong…”.
Will Giorgia Meloni last?
“It’s difficult to make predictions today. Giorgia has the problem at home, in the divisions of her majority. It will depend a lot on the outcome of the European Championships.”
Under what conditions can the left return to government? With which prime ministerial candidate?
“Elections are won at the center: if you exclude the center you are destined to lose. The center-left wins in Italy and in the world only if it is reformist.”
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