For the broad field, it's already time for primaries: the olive grower Ruffini is the third wheel, no from Salis. But with what criteria?

The primary challenge is already starting to take shape. The leadership of the center-left will be contested by Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte. The secretary of the Pd had expressed her availability some time ago. The president of the M5s made his intentions clear the day after the victory of the No votes in the justice referendum. In addition to them, there are Ernesto Maria Ruffini, leader of the Ulivist-inspired movement “Più uno,” and a yet-to-be-identified representative of the civic project led by the councilor in Rome Alessandro Onorato. Meanwhile, as new names are gradually added to the list, others are withdrawing.

The first is the mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis, who had often been mentioned recently as a potential candidate. And then there’s Azione's “no thanks”: "This is not our playing field - said deputy secretary Ettore Rosato - Just as the arrangements of the center-right do not concern us."

There are no other firm points. Also because, Conte's green light for the primaries, which came during the celebrations for the referendum outcome, caught many allies by surprise. And it also created discontent. Because the goal was to cultivate the enthusiasm for victory for as long as possible, as a natural springboard for the electoral campaign for the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, the launch of the primaries - the reasoning goes - risks shifting attention immediately to the internal contest within the center-left. Because the stakes are high: the choice of who will challenge Giorgia Meloni for the conquest of Palazzo Chigi. "We are still understanding and delving into the dimensions and nuances of the splendid victory in the referendum - said Paolo Ciani, elected with the Pd and deputy group leader in the Chamber - and already there are those who are jumping into the game of supposed primaries."

A mood that is also reflected in the cold receptions from other allies. "At the moment when the referendum is won so dramatically, with a historic mobilization - said Angelo Bonelli of Avs - the expectation is not on the primaries, but on how we change Italy. First of all, we need to state what the perspective is, not who the leader is." And indeed, even the secretary of Più Europa, Riccardo Magi, immediately called for the opening of a table for the program: "The primaries are a tool that must come at the end."

In any case, the most widespread prediction sets the date of the consultation in the fall: the M5s will close the listening phase for supporters in August. Immediately after, discussions on the program with other forces will need to open. And then there will be the primaries. The other issue is the voting method. It is moving towards open primaries even for non-party members: Conte has explicitly requested them, and Schlein became secretary precisely thanks to that type of consultation (in the circles alone, Stefano Bonaccini had won). It is likely that there will be discussions about online voting as well. Again: the M5s has it in its DNA and it was also planned when Schlein took over the Nazareno.

Meanwhile, the debate is on the method. Primaries are "a mistake - said Salis - there should be an internal discussion and find a leader capable of guiding the progressive field. And then, in a nutshell: "I am the mayor of Genoa and I do not want to participate." In recent days, the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, has also stepped back. However, Magi urges caution: "Let’s wait for the evolution of the new electoral law." Because primaries will be practically necessary only if it passes.