Days of intense discussion between the leaders of the national Democratic Party and the president of Puglia Michele Emiliano. At the center is the future of the regional council after the "net renewal" requested by the secretary Elly Schlein from the governor. The leader is pushing to go beyond "the mere replacement of those who have left". Replacing the two councilors who resigned, therefore, is not enough. And the pressing continues.
The point of failure, at the moment, would be that of a major reshuffle involving at least five councillors. A hypothesis also hoped for by those who know the area well and would like to avoid a head-on clash between the secretariat and the Apulian Dem leaders. The outcome, however, is not a given. Also because Emiliano seems intent on buying time, postponing at least for now a drastic choice on his council.
After the meeting of the Apulian Dem leadership, the president had assured: "the requests coming from the Democratic Party for a clear change of phase will be accepted". The party leader in the Senate Francesco Boccia returns to the topic and holds the point.
"Elly Schlein - he explains - fought to change the Democratic Party in a very clear and consequent congress. All local ruling groups who think they can overcome some principles must know this. And this is even more true for Puglia" . And then he insists: "Emiliano knows very well what secretary Schlein asked and I think it will be consistent, he will give an answer that is up to the challenge".
In the corridors of the Region building, not everyone is ready to bet on the fact that the president can accept a major reshuffle without a fight. There are those who speak of a very high bar set by Rome, which would involve well over half of the council in the reshuffle. He thresholds that would be seen by the territory as a de facto commissionership. And so the tug of war continues over the number of councilors to replace. With some goalkeepers cultivating hope: five could be enough for both sides, those who press and those who resist. Boccia, meanwhile, is keen to underline: "unlike others, we do not indicate the names of the councillors, for us it is important to establish the principles".
But for Emiliano the puzzle about names is no small matter. In the last few hours those of the two civics Giovanni Francesco Stea and Rocco Palese have been circulating. Together with that of Anna Grazia Maraschio, whose replacement would greatly displease the Italian Left. The name of Anita Maurodinoia, involved in the investigation into the exchange vote, has already disappeared on the region's website. There is still, however, that of the five-star Rosa Barone, who left the team after the step backwards of the M5s.And the relationship between Emiliano and the Five Star Movement does not appear to be an irrelevant factor for the challenge of the new council.
The governor has already said yes to the M5s proposal on the establishment of a "supervision body" and has relaunched the coalition with the Five Star Movement: "it still has reason to exist". According to some, Emiliano is stalling to renew the council also with the participation of the Movement. Only after the European elections, however, when the waters have calmed down.