Here comes the Rimini Meeting, economic manoeuvre in the spotlight. Maybe Meloni will also be there

The financial manoeuvre and the battle over differentiated autonomy. The citizenship law and the challenge of the autumn regional elections. The protagonists of politics are preparing to take up the debate again after the summer break. And Rimini is ready to welcome them. Just a few hours to go before the start of the 45th edition of the Meeting of Friendship Among Peoples, the traditional Communion and Liberation kermis that marks (from 20 to 25 August) the restart of the political season. Ten ministers and fourteen regional presidents, party leaders, the spokesmen of various religious faiths, and then representatives of civil society and the business world.

A total of 450 speakers will animate the fair in the Adriatic city. There will be the vice-premiers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini. Meeting Foundation President Bernhard Scholz is also confident in the presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, although she is not currently on the programme. Many, however, are expecting a surprise in the Caesar's Zone. Space and time to host a speech by the premier are there. The volunteers of the movement founded by priest Luigi Giussani have prepared everything in detail. Panels, round tables, interviews, debates.

But, as every year, the spotlight will also be on what happens off stage. On the leaders' strolls between one stand and another, as on the unexpected meetings between usually distant politicians. With tensions running high between Lega and Forza Italia, all eyes are on the two secretaries, Salvini and Tajani. There was no government summit before the August break. And a Rimini face-to-face seems difficult, considering that the two deputy prime ministers will be at the Meeting on different days. For their speeches, in any case, there is expectation. The same as for the return on stage of Paolo Gentiloni, the former prime minister whose contract as EU commissioner is expiring and who has not yet found a role in Elly Schlein's PD.

Speaking of the centre-left, in Rimini there will be, barring any surprises, neither the Dem secretary nor the Pentastrial president Giuseppe Conte. Nor Matteo Renzi, Carlo Calenda, Nicola Fratoianni and Angelo Bonelli. Representing a wide field under construction will be the group leaders in Parliament. For the M5s there will be Stefano Patuanelli, for Iv Raffaella Paita. Carrying the flag for the PD will be Stefano Bonaccini. The newly elected MEP will take part in a confrontation between the governors Michele Emiliano and Massimiliano Fedriga that, on the subject of Autonomy, promises to be heated.

Instead, Elena Bonetti of Azione will be the one to press the Mef Giancarlo Giorgetti in view of the next budget law. In a debate where, alongside the minister, the leader of Noi Moderati Maurizio Lupi will also sit. The minister Raffaele Fitto will also be outlining the economic challenges. And then the governor of the Bank of Italy Fabio Panetta, the director of the Agenzia delle Entrate Ernesto Maria Ruffini and the president of the Inps Gabriele Fava.