Calenda: "M5S Leads the Broad Coalition, Not Us"
Listen to the story
Carlo Calenda, leader of the Italian party Azione, has given an interview about the future of Italian politics.
He said that the coalition known as 'Campo largo', which brings together several center-left parties, is now being led by someone else.
According to Calenda, Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement (M5S), is the one setting the agenda for the coalition.
Calenda claimed that M5S is the only party in the group with a clear political program.
He criticized the Campo largo coalition, saying it lacks a strong shared plan for the country.
Because of this, Calenda announced that his party will not join the coalition. Instead, Azione will run independently in the next election.
He explained that the political center, where his party stands, will be very important for the final result.
Calenda said that center voters could end up being decisive in choosing the next government.
He added that it is still too early to know exactly what will happen after people vote.
Calenda said more details about possible alliances or decisions will become clear only after the election results are known.
His comments suggest growing tension between centrist and more left-wing forces in Italian politics ahead of the vote.
Vocabulary10 words
- interview
- when someone answers questions for the news
- coalition
- a group of parties working together
- agenda
- the plan or goals for the future
- program
- a party's official set of ideas and plans
- independently
- alone, without joining others
- center
- political position between left and right
- decisive
- having a big effect on the final result
- tension
- disagreement or stress between groups
- alliance
- an agreement between groups to work together
- government
- the group that runs the country
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He controls the coalition's direction 2. It lacks a clear shared program 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Carlo Calenda, leader of the Italian party Azione, has given an _____ about the future of Italian politics.
He said that the _____ known as 'Campo largo' is now being led by someone else.
According to Calenda, Giuseppe Conte is the one setting the _____ for the coalition.
Calenda claimed that M5S is the only party in the group with a clear political _____.
Calenda announced that his party will not join the coalition and will run _____ in the next election.
He explained that the political _____ will be very important for the final result.
Calenda said that center voters could end up being _____ in choosing the next government.
His comments suggest growing _____ between centrist and more left-wing forces in Italian politics.
Discussion questions
- Why might a politician choose to run alone instead of joining a coalition?
- What problems can arise when many political parties try to work together?
- Do you think center parties can really be decisive in elections? Why or why not?
- How important do you think having a clear program is for voters choosing a party?
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