Overview

• At the PES congress in Amsterdam, Elly Schlein said democracy and press freedom are at risk with the far right in power and voiced solidarity with journalist Sigfrido Ranucci after the attack on his home.
• Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected the claims as false and harmful to Italy’s image, calling Schlein’s speech “pure delirium.”
• PD figures cast the intervention as the start of a voter‑mobilization effort for a likely spring 2026 referendum on separating judges’ and prosecutors’ careers, with final Senate approval expected by October 30.
• Government and center‑right leaders condemned any insinuation of a link to the attack on Ranucci and denied government responsibility.
• Fratelli d’Italia promoted a video contrasting Meloni’s representation of Italy with Schlein’s criticism, while Schlein declined to apologize and accused Meloni of playing the victim.