Giani (PD) warns Schlein: "Victory in Tuscany is not a given without me."

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Eugenio Giani believes changing the candidate for president of the Tuscany Region could jeopardize the center-left's victory. Asked by La Stampa whether the center-left would still win with a different name, he replied: "That's not the case. The red vote from the old PCI sections no longer exists here, victory is not a given. And the center-right's likely candidate, Alessandro Tomasi, is the most popular among Tuscan mayors: he doesn't make much headway against me, and I don't know about others."

A clear message addressed to Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein, which Giani, however, kept to a more measured tone: "I'm simply saying that I trust my secretary." The outgoing president, who has not yet been officially re-nominated by his party, emphasizes the work accomplished over the past five years and his strong connection to the local area, starting with the support of the mayors. "I didn't do anything to encourage these statements in my favor, but obviously I was pleased. They've helped people understand my relationship with the local area, and what the expectations are of seeing the work I've begun continue," he states, commenting on the more than 100 open letters signed by Tuscan mayors calling for his re-election. Among them are 29 of the 41 mayors of the Metropolitan City of Florence, as well as numerous mayors from the provinces of Arezzo, Lucca, Pisa, Pistoia, Livorno, Grosseto, and Siena.

Giani, asked about Schlein's possible pressure to step down, says: "No, I read it in the papers, but I'm not interested in gossip. And besides, you can't replace someone with my approval, with the relationships I've built over ten years, first as president of the Regional Council and then as president of the Region, in a month."

Despite the internal coalition debate, Giani says he's confident in building a broad alliance , even with forces that have been critical in the past. "The Greens support me, and the Italian Left has a constructive position on my nomination. As for the Five Star Movement, I hope they don't dwell on past controversies, but want to look forward."

Giani believes the conflicts with the Five Star Movement, especially over major projects like the high-speed rail link, the expansion of Florence airport, and the Piombino regasification plant, are now over: "These are all issues that are now in the past at the national level. We recently collaborated with the Five Star Movement, such as on the assisted suicide law: they even invited me to one of their seminars on the topic. If we stay focused on the merits of what needs to be done, I'm convinced we can jointly draft a program for the future of Tuscany." He hasn't spoken to Giuseppe Conte, but emphasizes a good relationship built in the past: "We haven't spoken, but there is a relationship of mutual respect. We collaborated well when he was at Palazzo Chigi, during Covid. This also applies to other Five Star members; I'm friends with Alessandra Todde, and we also worked well when she was at the Ministry of Economic Development on the reindustrialization of Piombino."

Ultimately, Giani relaunches his candidacy as a natural continuation of the work he's already begun: "I hope so (that they support me, ed.). I share the broad coalition's approach and understand that there's a broader framework with the other regions voting, which must be taken into account. But it's right that the candidate in Tuscany be chosen by the Tuscans."

And for those at Nazareno who are coldly dismissive of his name, he reminds us that his results speak for themselves: "I think Tuscany can be a model for the Democratic Party on many issues, something to be replicated nationwide. Like free daycare or the creation of 77 community homes to strengthen local healthcare."

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