After having clearly won the primaries for the secretariat of the Democratic Party in the elections among the members, Matteo Renzi obtained an even more stark success in voting among non-registered voters (the so-called people of the Democratic Party), reaching almost 70%. A victory without ifs and buts, strengthened by the large and unexpected participation in size: well over two and a half million voters. A more than relevant political fact in times of Berlusconi-Grillino populism. Its competitors Cuperlo (18%) and Civati (14%) together account for 32%. A share that should not be underestimated and the mayor of Florence, in his first speech as secretary, demonstrated that he certainly did not want to settle scores, granting both of them something more than military honors.
Are the almost three million participants in the primaries really all voters of the Democratic Party? Certainly they are to a large extent, just as it is clear that there have been no "camellages" organized by other political forces: Berlusconi and Forza Italia consider the mayor of Florence to be the most dangerous opponent in the event of close political elections. Far be it from them to strengthen it. Yet, thanks to the most open primaries, it's easy to think that Renzi has had limited help from centre-right voters. A little in disarray after the split of the Pdl, some of them do not share the grillin-populist drift of the Cavaliere, but do not find sufficient trust in the new formation of Angelino Alfano. In short, that some center-right voters find interest in the Democratic Party, which in any case maintains democratic rules within it and does not fall into the flattery of anti-politics, is in the logic of things.
However, Renzi took care to reassure the entire Democratic Party when, in his victory speech, he clearly stated that it is not the left that is changing, but only a leadership group. In short: no scrapping, only physiological substitutions to change who in the team showed signs of wear and tear. There are no divisions at the gates. And reassurances in this sense came from Civati and above all from Cuperlo, when he said that "this remains our train for our ideas and for a stronger party". After all, it is known that the tracks of politics never end. After that Renzi, as befits whoever is the new secretary, will indicate the names of the new management group and that the renewal will be extensive, is for all to take for granted.
But the Renzi secretariat is awaited above all by two political test benches. Relations with Letta and his government and the now indispensable new electoral law. The mayor of Florence is certainly aware that it would not be a winning move to provoke a government crisis at the beginning of his mandate, which would open new paths to the rising populism of Forza Italia and the five stars. Letta and above all Angelino Alfano are also aware of these things, who not surprisingly, while Berlusconi harangued the veterans of Forza Italia who had gathered to give life to the new clubs with the innovative name of "Forza Silvio", offered the Pd a renewed government pact until 2015. What is certain is that Renzi will have his say on the government agenda by making his Pd weigh more.
Then there is the question of the electoral law: after the Court's ruling, neo-proportionalist appetites immediately manifested themselves. Renzi said clear words here: first of all he will safeguard bipolarism, then he intends to hurry and not give space to the melinas for which (he said in an interview with "La Stampa") he also considers Minister Quagliariello responsible. At the same time Renzi wants to speed up the times for overcoming the perfect bipartisanship with the presentation by the Government of a constitutional bill, which also contributes with the abolition of the provinces, as well as the Senate, to a strong and decisive reduction of policy costs. This is on the agenda of the government as a whole, the new secretary will immediately speak with the prime minister.
Renzi won the primaries playing as a centre-forward, if not by scrapping, certainly by breakthrough. Now, in order to be accredited as the next candidate in Palazzo Chigi, however, he will have to demonstrate that he can also be a play maker, perhaps showing that he knows how to serve Enrico Letta some decisive assists.
