Matteo Renzi says centre‑left “campo largo” cannot win without reformist votes

Former prime minister Matteo Renzi criticised the broad centre‑left alliance of the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement and the Greens (the “campo largo”) after a rally in Naples, arguing that the coalition will not be able to defeat the centre‑right unless it incorporates a reformist component. Renzi said the alliance is too left‑leaning and risks alienating moderate, liberal and pro‑European voters. He called for a balance on foreign policy and economic measures, citing the need for a stronger EU role in the war in Ukraine and a pragmatic economic agenda.

Renzi also stressed that his party, Italia Viva, will run independently with its own parliamentary groups, and hinted that in a possible runoff he would back the centre‑left candidate Alessandra Schlein over the incumbent prime minister. He warned that without reformist input the “campo largo” will lose the upcoming elections.