Thousands of people demonstrate against fascism in Florence

The new leader of the PD approaches the 5 Star Movement

March 4 () –

Some 40,000 people, according to the organizers, took to the streets of downtown Florence this Saturday in a new anti-fascist appeal that has served as the setting for the rapprochement between the new leader of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, and the head of Movement 5. Stars, Giuseppe Conte.

Schlein and Conte have posed together for a photograph in which the general secretary of the main Italian union, the Italian General Confederation of Labor (CGIL), Maurizio Landini, has also been present, reports the Italian news agency ADNKronos.

The two leaders have shaken hands, have exchanged jokes and have posed during the demonstration, called by the Italian unions.

Schlein, recently elected as leader of the PD, hopes to start a dialogue again that will allow a rapprochement with other left-wing and environmental formations based on “specific issues”, as the Social Democratic leader herself has highlighted.

She herself has listed the areas of agreement: “defense of public schools, defense of public health, defense of work, minimum wage, defense of the Constitution, battle against differentiated autonomy.” “I think we have many ideas to do a good common job and it is a pleasure to meet in this square. Thanks to those who have organized it, to the unions, and to all the associations that have responded to this call”, she declared.

However, the distinction remains in Ukraine. And Schlein clearly remarks: “Our full support for the Ukrainian people has never been in question a year after the criminal invasion sought by Putin, but I also believe that the left must continue to pursue a world of peace, mobilize in that direction by asking the European Union a strong commitment and also a strong political and diplomatic role. The two things are not in contradiction.”

Conte stressed that “we are in concrete battles, battles of values ​​and principles that concern us all”. “The problem is not primacy or leadership on the left. We as the 5 Star Movement are interested in working to strengthen the political action of progressive forces,” she pointed out.