Giuseppe Conte

Giuseppe Conte says he is willing to help identify a third candidate to lead the centre-left, but claims his proposal was rejected. Matteo Renzi, meanwhile, has opened the door to supporting Conte, saying he would back him if he wins a primary contest. The exchanges underline ongoing jockeying over leadership of Italy's centre-left ahead of coming political tests.

Italian Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein issued a pointed message to Five Star Movement chief Giuseppe Conte: "Generous yes, naive no." She rejected Conte's "one person, one vote" framing during internal party discussions, and the resulting motion passed unanimously among those present while the reformist faction abstained from voting. The exchange highlights ongoing friction over the leadership's approach ahead of potential alliance decisions.