Schlein, Conte, or Salis: The hunt for a new midfield leader

Rome, November 11, 2025 – Bye bye Elly Schlein . Welcome Silvia Salis , Gaetano Manfredi , or even a reborn Giuseppe Conte to challenge Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for election victory. Whether declared or denied, this is both the dream and the nightmare tormenting the Democratic Party. Where, despite the indignant denials of overly bold journalistic reconstructions, they are indeed discussing how to position themselves for the upcoming general elections. "It's too early to talk about leadership" of the center-left, even the Democratic Party's malcontents confide, without denying that reflection has begun. Given that still to be overcome are not only the referendum on the separation of careers between judges and prosecutors, with its outcome far from certain, but also the likely reform of the electoral system preparatory to the prime ministerial office, which FdI likes but the PD doesn't dislike, to the extent that it would eliminate the local variables of single-member constituencies in favor of a national electoral coalition of parties with a majority bonus and a designated candidate for the prime ministerial office.

And so the issue of leadership of the broad camp arises. Of course, not before the spring referendum. The result of which obviously cannot be a reason to blame Schlein , Conte, and their associates. At most, the excessively alarmist tone and manner for democracy, which fail to convince Romano Prodi and reformist souls, could be criticized. But not the fact that the parties and opposition have aligned themselves on the side of a "No," shared by all except the post-PCI guarantors, Azione, and the still-hesitant Renzians.

With the referendum behind us, the issue of the premiership is set to become a priority alongside and alongside any potential electoral reform. And, as some parliamentarians bluntly observe, "there's no point in hiding" the fact that within the Democratic Party and the coalition, "discussions and maneuvers" are underway in view of the 2027 elections. Beginning with the projects attributed to Dario Franceschini , a loyal supporter of Schlein's leadership and a mastermind behind alternative leaderships, each linked to Conte , Salis , or Manfredi .

It's true that nothing can be assumed before the possible reform of the voting system . Likewise, Schlein, whether he wins or loses the justice referendum , is firmly positioned at the PD's helm thanks to the support of a consolidated radical base, despite reformist grievances. This doesn't mean, however, that the secretary is the most competitive candidate to challenge Meloni . Indeed, within the PD, there is concern about organizing forces "outside the PD." This begins with plans for a federation of a revived centrist Margherita party , which Franceschini envisions entrusting to Salis . Meanwhile, in the event of primaries, the mayor of Genoa herself could find herself tipping the scales between Schlein and Conte, who needs to consolidate his consensus.

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