Roberto Vannacci’s rising profile sparks speculation on new left‑wing counterpart

Roberto Vannacci, a former army general turned politician, has entered Italy’s electoral race with poll support hovering between 6 % and 8 %, prompting debate within both the right‑wing coalition and the left. Party leaders on the right view him as a “useful idiot” for the opposition, while some warn that aligning with him could threaten traditional alliances. The surge has raised questions about whether the current electoral law will favour his bloc or force new parliamentary arrangements.

At the same time, media reports suggest that former Five Star Movement MP Alessandro Di Battista may try to replicate Vannacci’s model on the left, potentially founding a party to attract votes from both the Five Star Movement and centre‑left forces. No formal announcement has been made, and the timeline for any such launch is expected to be clarified by October.