Ruffini case: from Sala to Renzi, all the manoeuvres going on in the centrist area

Ernesto Maria Ruffini leave the Internal Revenue Service and the game is rekindled at the centre. The need to aggregate the moderate forces comes from many quarters. There are those who seek a federator of a multifaceted and conflicting galaxy. Those who, in the centre-left, hypothesise a Margherita 2.0. And those who look favourably at the birth of a Catholic-inspired party, which would position itself permanently in the coalition alongside the Dems. Whirlwinds of names, veiled self nominations, and interlocutions. These began in the aftermath of the former Third Pole's defeat at the European elections and are now entering a new phase.

To hasten the process, and agitate tempers, were Ruffini's moves. First, his speech at the conference with Roberto Fioroni and Lucio D'Ubaldo. Then, the resignation. He reiterates that he does not want to take the field. But, at the same time, he claims his 'commitment'. Phrases that many read as an acceleration in view of a new protagonism in the centrist area. That of the now former director of the Agency is among the names that have been on the table for months in the Catholic archipelago intent on dialogue on a renewed political commitment at least since July.

The prospect is that of a so-called 'centrist leg' in a centre-left coalition that is now very much shifted to the left. Part of the Dem reformists, increasingly tightened by the Schlein line, seem to look favourably on this possibility. However, there is no temptation to jump on the centrist bandwagon among a section of Catholics, although intolerant. Even Elly Schlein is looking for a centrist ally capable of wresting votes from the disappointed centre-right, in a government perspective. But the Dem leader is looking with greater interest at a figure like Beppe Sala, mayor of Milan, who is not organic to the PD but not even from the Catholic area, as Ruffini is.

Certainly, Ruffini has already generated positionings in the centre. Where there is an influx of leadership. Matteo Renzi, who has already deployed Iv in the centre-left, had invited Ruffini to step down before starting any reasoning, but he also put the name of Franco Gabrielli on the plate. Carlo Calenda, on the other hand, looks to a pure centre, neither right nor left, and seems to show more affinity with Beppe Sala. Who also does not shy away from the role of federator, but shows disappointment with the 'wide field'.

The debate on federators is one that 'does not warm the hearts' in 5s circles. 'I don't know if Ruffini is a Catholic, I know him as a director of the tax office, as a tax lawyer, and he also worked with my government. But if something comes up tomorrow it is the law of competition. Let's say that the feeling is that it is an operation created by the PD, which thinks it has many forces around it to be able to build the sense of a chorus with many corollaries around it,' said Giuseppe Conte, president of the 5 Star Movement, from the stage of Atreju.