An extraordinary Giuseppe Conte, interviewed by journalists devoid of ethical values, invasive and biased. “I have not changed. Even in my new role I will continue to work for the good of Italians, in a different guise and with a different role, but the goal is always the same: to make Italians' lives fairer and more liveable.” We report a short excerpt from Floris's interview, on the La7 channel, in the DiMartedì programme of 8 June 2021.
Floris: Mr Giuseppe Conte, professor, lawyer, twice Prime Minister, candidate to become the new political leader of the Five Star Movement, a hub of European Union policy, and then suddenly it was all over: what did you think?
President: I thought that parliamentary democracy works like this! If a force that supports the majority withdraws its backing, everything ends. In short, even if many Italians were left disoriented by this initiative, moreover in the middle of a pandemic, that is part of it too.
In any case, it was a great honour to have been able to hold the office of Prime Minister twice, to have been able to work for Italians. Before, I studied reforms as an academic, as a professional, then I was able to help bring about reform processes. The citizens' income, the anti-corruption drive, the cut in the number of MPs, and much more. We drew up a plan for the South with a reduction in labour costs from 30 to 20, and finally to 10% until 2029…
Floris: When did you realise Draghi was coming? I remember an episode of 08:30 in which you showed that you had somehow sensed that the questions about Draghi concerned your succession. You had understood it and, look, in recent months there was also often talk of a government reshuffle.
President: a certain impatience had emerged on the part of one force of the majority, so a change of government was certainly in the air; I always thought that a new government could be formed only on condition of a strong and solid mandate. Going to Parliament to speak not only to MPs but to citizens at home, taking on commitments, making promises that could not then be kept because there was someone who did not share that political scheme, did not make much sense. At that point you change the scheme. A government of international standing: welcome, Draghi.
Floris: Now a completely different experience awaits you. Now you will really have to get your hands dirty, because leading the country is one thing, leading a party is another.
President: They are two completely different roles, both complex: leading a government, moreover in the middle of a pandemic, which was the most significant crisis since the Second World War to date, was a truly complicated challenge. Leading a new political force, renewing it and refounding it is an equally delicate, equally complex challenge, but I have a lot of enthusiasm and you will see that what you describe as a divided political force absolutely is not. You will be surprised, there is so much wonderful enthusiasm!
You will be surprised. I am not talking at random: in these weeks, in these months I have worked with them, I have held very many meetings, there is so much enthusiasm and I can tell you that there are already very many expectations; there are many people interested in this change of the Five Star Movement.
Floris: There are observers who say: look at Conte, much loved, in the polls. Others who confirm that there is a lot of consensus around his figure, but there is because he has always been seen as someone a little removed from politics.
President: From this point of view I have not changed. Even in my new role I will continue to work for the good of Italians, in a different guise and with a different role. But the goal is always the same: to carry out the great reform process we have begun, to complete it, to modernise the country, to make life for the Italians who are following us at home. Fairer, more liveable.
