The grillesque impulses of the Democratic Party on Ukraine
The Democratic Party has not been able to resist the call of "pacifism" on Ukraine. "The use of Pnrr and cohesion funds to produce munitions and armaments is unacceptable," says Schlein. But if that money came from Italian taxes, would anything change? Gianfranco Polillo's comment
It took some time, but the call of the wild finally came. The ambiguous and sugary music was once again that of pacifism : the siren that Elly Schlein was unable or unwilling to resist. And now the distances, compared to Giuseppe Conte and all the 5 stars, have undoubtedly decreased. Although it is difficult to say whether this will be the sufficient move that will allow the PD to overcome the crisis in which it is struggling.
SCHLEIN'S POSITION ON ARMS TO UKRAINE
The ambiguity of the positions taken is evident from the literal analysis of the statements made on Instagram . "The use of Pnrr and cohesion funds to produce ammunition and armaments is unacceptable." To then underline the dose: "It is not acceptable that one thinks of removing money from kindergartens to put it on ammunition for weapons". And if instead that money came from the taxes of the Italians or from greater debt: would it change anything? And then why as an alternative to "kindergartens"? They could easily replace any other public expenditure: from the thousand rivulets of transfers that run rampant in the folds of the state budget, up to the not always justifiable tax exemptions.
This is just to underline the instrumental nature of certain combinations. In part also made necessary, following a rupture, which occurred at a European level. That vote against, on the analogous proposal put forward in the European Parliament by the Socialists, and not considered acceptable by the Piedessini MEPs. A way for Schlein herself to counter the criticisms of those within her own party who accuse her of being a prisoner of the "tortellino Bolognese". By moving the axis of his secretariat further to the left, the attempt was to demonstrate the opposite. Riding the deep impulses of a party which, for the most varied reasons, resents Zelensky's activism and the resistance of Ukrainian patriots.
THE DETAILS
Pure tightrope: so much so that the secretary, in her own speech, was then forced to cover herself from possible criticism from her party's reformists. Whether they are many or few: "we have no doubts about full support for Ukraine, – he had to add – just as we are in favor of progress in common European defence". As if these things didn't involve money for tanks, missiles, drones and so on, which don't arise spontaneously in the great garden of pacifism. Which, instead, it seems, is increasingly reduced to a small oasis in a desert where the noise of the marching armies is increasingly deafening.
That it is Pope Francis who calls us back to the values of peace is not only right, but a duty. But that this inspiration translates into the unilateral commitment of a single political force is unacceptable. It's like working for the King of Prussia. That is, for the real warmongers, who are the ones who invade other countries. While, in this case, one would like to strip the defenses of those who, on the other hand, have the right (not only moral, but positive) to defend themselves. “Si vis pacem, para bellum” (if you want peace, prepare for war) the ancients said wisely. It is painful to have to see this, but since the last war onwards it has been the "balance of terror" that has preserved the peace. Even if it hasn't prevented the outbreak of even more or less bloody local conflicts. However limited.
After all, how can we forget that the "betrayal" of many Western scientists, in providing the USSR with plans for the construction of the atomic bomb, responded to that profound conviction. The imbalance of the forces in the field, at least until humanity has found different means to settle conflicts, fuels the danger of armed confrontation. It doesn't reduce it. Putin himself, in speaking of a "special military mission", given the disproportion of the opposing forces, was convinced that he could repeat Hungary in 1956 or the Prague Spring in 1968. If he had been able to evaluate, with greater realism and awareness, the consequences of that choice, he probably would have acted differently. And of course, today, he wouldn't be in the cul de sac he got himself into.
THE M5S PRESS THE PD
There are therefore many possible criticisms of Schlein's intervention. The pressure exerted on the flanks of his own party by the 5 stars is understandable. But we must never forget the diversity of their origins. On the one hand, a piece of national history, which has its roots in over 100 years of battles and struggles. Sometimes winners, sometimes losers. But always guided by a compass that is not only practical but theoretical. On the other hand, a movement born of the contradictions of a situation that leaves no room for the long strides of political thought. But that is likely to wear out quickly. And then other than "make yourself comfortable, because we are here to stay". You stay if you have something to say, as well as playing that sort of snatch-up that seems to be the prevalent activity in the so-called "wide field".
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/pd-ucraina-pacifismo-schlein/ on Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:47:58 +0000.