MEP Palmisano rejects Renzi’s criticism, defends 5-star values

Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEP Valentina Palmisano emphasized the 5 Star Movement’s incompatible values with Italia Viva, criticizing Renzi and urging the Democratic Party for cohesive alternatives.

In a note, Valentina Palmisano, MEP of the 5 Star Movement, stated that President Giuseppe Conte has definitively clarified that the values and battles represented by the 5 Star Movement are alternative to and incompatible with Italia Viva.

What prompted Renzi’s criticism of Giuseppe Conte?

In an interview, Matthew Renzi, the leader of Italia Viva, criticized the 5 Star Movement following the breakdown of the “broad field” on Rai. He claimed that the choice made by the Democratic Party was a collective decision, but that Conte backed out, describing him as someone who jumps at opportunities. Renzi positioned Italia Viva as the true opposition, labelling Conte as a crutch. 

He continued by suggesting that Conte would ally with anyone for a position on the board of directors, citing Conte’s history of shifting alliances—from being prime minister with Salvini to working with Zingaretti, and being an ally of the PD while also collaborating with Fratelli d’Italia. Renzi argued that the 5 Star Movement, once a party against the system, has now compromised its values by forming alliances for convenience.

How does Palmisano define the values of the 5-star movement?

MEP Valentina Palmisano expressed that the party stands for peace, while Renzi supports the continuation of war. She highlighted that the 5 Star Movement advocates for a minimum wage, in contrast to Renzi’s support for the Jobs Act. Palmisano pointed out that the 5 Star Movement has approved the citizens’ income, while Renzi has sought to eliminate it. She criticized Renzi as a living conflict of interest in politics and dismissed the idea of a “broad field” as a mere journalistic invention meant to promote the 2% of Italia Viva. 

Palmisano urged the Democratic Party to recognize that the alternative to Giorgia Meloni should not be built on mistakes, but rather through ambitious, cohesive, and alternative programs to the right, emphasizing that this is the essence of the 5 Star Movement. She questioned whether Schlein was willing to refuse Conte in order to align with Renzi, potentially creating a pathway for the right.