Giuseppe Conte Speaks: "Schlein absent from Villa Taverna? A mistake to discuss the alliance with the USA"

Cowboys, Trump supporters, Americans in Rome. President Giuseppe Conte , you were at the Roman Independence Day party on Tuesday evening. “Yes. I was at the party. And why shouldn’t I have gone?” You did well, of course. But your presence certainly stood out. In short, it was noticeable. Especially because of the numerous absences: starting with that of the secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein. “It’s the Independence Day of the United States. The party of an entire people.” Exactly. So those who skip this occasion because Trump is Trump are wrong? “The United States are our traditional allies. Which is true regardless of who resides in the White House at any given time. I have never questioned this alliance.” No. But let’s rewind the tape.

In the firmament of stars and stripes, Wednesday evening, the only real star – who arrived on the lawn of Villa Taverna somewhat surprisingly, like a comet – was none other than him. Giuseppe Conte. Giuseppe, aka Giuseppi. A shining star from Campo largo who, like a comet, arrived at the US embassy with his tail of ions in tow. From Rocco Casalino, faun-style among the bushes (“Tu sabes que te amo”), to Roberto Fico, “governor of Kentucky”. The president of the 5 Star Movement was therefore present where all the other opposition leaders, his allies, were absent. Having already withdrawn the day before. Conte, for his part, would have had no doubts. Perhaps because of that old affection for The Donald who, during his first administration (inevitably concurrent with Conte I), petted him as “Giuseppi”; either because – as Il Foglio reports – the decision was taken at the last minute, that is, once it was known that, by going there, he would be the only leader present.

But returning to us now - and beyond any malice - the point is serious. Since the absence of the others has quickly sparked a question, which also emerged during the party and summarized by a phrase from the dem Beatrice Lorenzin (also present). In these cases, what counts more? Do international relations or personal ones count more? Does the man or the institution count more? President Conte, what do you say? "I said it: the White House does not depend on its tenant". So those who, like their allies, do not understand this, are wrong? "We must always remember that the alliance with the USA is indisputable. As indisputable is our membership in NATO". But someone in the Movement is discussing it: the honorable Dario Carotenuto, with Il Foglio, has articulated a critical reasoning of the Atlantic Alliance. “No. If anything, I note that we are not capable of seriously reflecting on updating its structure, objectives and purposes. The Alliance is now almost eighty years old. While the entire world has changed”. In any case, cultivating relations with the USA is not just a question of principle. But perhaps also of political realism. In other words: to be a real alternative to Meloni, and that is to aspire to govern the country, wouldn’t it be even more appropriate to cultivate foreign relations? “Of course. International relations are fundamental. In fact, the M5S’s battle against the rush to retaliate, and against 5 percent of GDP for military spending within NATO, is based on the maximum loyalty and transparency necessary between allies. If you don’t have the courage to speak frankly, and you don’t have the courage to explain that for us these objectives are objectively unsustainable, then you are not allies but subjects”. Not subjects but allies. Yet Conte, of The Donald, was almost a friend. “We have also adopted this approach with my governments”. When? “For example, when I explained to Trump that the agreement with Beijing on the Silk Road was necessary to improve our trade balance with China and open new markets to Italian companies in difficulty”. Different times. “I believe – continues Conte, now in controversy with the prime minister in office – that to govern a member of the G7, and protect the credibility of your country, you should only sign commitments that are truly sustainable. It is too easy to sign a commitment today for 445 billion euros in additional military spending and then have it apply starting from the next governments, as Meloni does. In a distorted way, and with a good dose of cowardice, Palazzo Chigi makes people believe that Italy's credibility depends on the signing of this 5 percent commitment, which for some countries is fully sustainable. But not for us”. Having therefore distanced himself from his competitors on the left, Giuseppe Conte is now taking on the right head on.

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