Vendola: The League is fomenting fear and hatred.

by Stefano Polzot
How do you recognize the attraction to a leader? From the audience that fills the hall beyond capacity; from the unexcited wait for his arrival after an hour's delay; from the boos directed at local officials who were slow to give him the floor. This is what happened last night at the Fiera Milano City Fair, with the rally by Sel leader Nichi Vendola, which drew around 700 people, almost as many as had gathered a few days ago to hear Pierluigi Bersani. And Vendola didn't disappoint his people, starting with the earthquake, which he mentioned in an opening video. "The history of earthquakes," he stated, "is a reflection of Italy, and you Friulians are witnessing an exemplary reconstruction that has nothing to do with the new towns a carpet salesman created for Abruzzo. We have learned from you that emergencies must be prevented before they are addressed." Then, in the Po Valley, he took a swipe at the Northern League. "We must develop a patriotism," he argued, "that is tied to the human race, not to petty identities. Flags should not be used as clubs and have no connection with the folkloric and resentful identity of Padania, which fuels fears to pit the weakest against each other." Vendola also reiterated the need for an agreement within the center-left. "The time has come," he stated, "to build a common agenda. The variety and quality we have across Italy in these local elections is not enough. The center-left must become a flag in the minds and hearts of millions of people who are uneasy, sometimes nauseated, sometimes desperate. There is a better Italy that needs to experience the scent of an alternative firsthand." A new pact that cannot begin with vetoes, resulting from calls for the Democratic Party "to break with Di Pietro and Vendola.". And to the UDC leader, Pierferdinando Casini, who was a few kilometers away, he opened the door to dialogue. "Can we discuss," he asked, "Italy rather than the intrigues of power? About families? Is it possible that, during the Berlusconi era, the very families of Family Day are being reduced to the brink of exhaustion? And if so, is this the fault of Arcigay or of Minister Tremonti's social and economic policies?". Outside the Fiera, Vendola was greeted by several Communist Refoundation Party activists, primarily Michele Negro, who distributed a flyer denouncing the fact that Sel had excluded the party from the alliance for the Municipality. This decision, before it was made, had caused some discord with Sel supporters, who objected to the method used. Mayoral candidate Giovanni Del Ben opened the meeting, followed by Angela Chiddemi and Pierantonio Rigo.