Ruffini Launches ‘Open Field’ Initiative to Revitalize Italian Left – Breaking News
Rome, Italy – In a move signaling a potential shakeup of the Italian political landscape, Ernesto Maria Ruffini, former Director of the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency), has officially launched “Più uno” (Plus One), a new initiative designed to broaden the appeal of the Italian left and address growing voter apathy. The launch, held at the Salone delle Colonne in Rome, wasn’t a declaration of a new party, but rather a call for a fundamental realignment of the campo largo (broad field) – a coalition that Ruffini believes has lost its way.
Beyond the ‘Campo Largo’: A Call for Citizen Engagement
Ruffini’s vision, described as a “campo aperto” (open field), aims to reach voters disillusioned with traditional politics and who feel their concerns are ignored. He argues that the current left has become too focused on internal divisions and appealing to its base, failing to connect with citizens who feel the political system has abandoned the “bene comune” (common good). This initiative comes at a critical juncture, with the right, led by Giorgia Meloni, gaining traction by appealing to anxieties rather than reasoned debate, according to Ruffini.
The initial assembly, attended by approximately 600 people, including representatives from various political factions – from former 5-Star Movement minister Vincenzo Spadafora to Pd vice-president Chiara Gribaudo – wasn’t about forming a new political entity. Instead, it was a platform to articulate a new approach. Ruffini explicitly stated the goal isn’t to “add another bush to this centrosinistra” (center-left) but to transform the entire coalition into a truly “reformist alliance.”
Echoes of the Past: The Ulivo Model and Constitutional Values
Ruffini repeatedly invoked the legacy of the Ulivo (Olive Tree), a successful center-left coalition from the 1990s, emphasizing the need for synthesis and compromise between diverse political forces. He shared a photograph of Aldo Moro and Enrico Berlinguer, a symbolic representation of national solidarity, underscoring the importance of bridging ideological divides. This harkens back to a period of Italian political history characterized by a broader consensus-building approach, a stark contrast to the current polarized environment.
Evergreen Context: The Ulivo, formed in 1996, represented a significant shift in Italian politics, bringing together various socialist, communist, and Christian democratic elements. Its success demonstrated the potential for broad coalitions based on shared values, a lesson Ruffini believes is particularly relevant today. Understanding this historical context is crucial to grasping the significance of his appeal to a similar model.
Addressing Voter Apathy: The Primary Challenge
A central tenet of Ruffini’s initiative is tackling the rising tide of abstentionism. He views it as the “first adversary” to be defeated, a symptom of a deep-seated fracture between citizens and the political class. He criticized the current practice of primaries, arguing they’ve become tools for leaders to secure plebiscites rather than genuine exercises in democratic participation. He pointed to the high voter turnout in the recent New York City mayoral election as a model for increased engagement, contrasting it with the “minority vocation” of the Italian Democratic Party (PD).
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Priorities Rooted in the Constitution: Equality and Dignity
Beyond the procedural changes, Ruffini outlined a set of core priorities grounded in the principles of “uguaglianza” (equality) and “persona” (the individual) enshrined in the Italian Constitution. These include addressing the growing crisis in healthcare access, protecting the environment, revitalizing the European project, and creating employment opportunities for young people. He stressed that the goal isn’t simply to govern, but to “pursue the common good.”
The initiative aims to build momentum towards the 2027 general election, where the left will face the challenge of unseating Giorgia Meloni’s government. Ruffini has called for a spring meeting to further define the project’s direction and strategy. The launch of “Più uno” represents a bold attempt to redefine the Italian left, not through the creation of a new party, but through a fundamental shift in approach – one that prioritizes citizen engagement, constitutional values, and a commitment to the common good. The success of this endeavor will depend on its ability to translate these principles into a compelling vision for the future of Italy and to reignite the political passions of a disillusioned electorate.
