Overview

• At the PES congress in Amsterdam, Elly Schlein said democracy and press freedom are at risk under the extreme right and voiced solidarity with journalist Sigfrido Ranucci after an attack.
• Giorgia Meloni called the remarks "pure delirium" and center-right leaders criticized Schlein for harming Italy’s image, as Fratelli d’Italia circulated a video contrasting the two leaders.
• Corriere della Sera reports the speech was a deliberate kickoff to the PD’s months-long mobilization for a spring 2026 referendum on the justice reform that separates judicial careers, with final Senate approval expected by October 30.
• PD figures describe a messaging strategy that avoids technicalities, plans to formally trigger the referendum with its MPs, and seeks to broaden support beyond the left.
• A private Arcadia analysis of October 17–18 found Meloni’s interactions surpassing 350,000 with a 46% rise in positive Facebook comments, while Schlein’s fell 81% versus the prior two days, reflecting short-window engagement shifts.