Yesterday at the Teha Forum in Cernobbio was not the best version of Roberto Vannacci. Certainly, the audience was not his, the topics were not those on which he based his rise, but the former general in front of the panel of industrialists seemed awkward, almost afraid to say one word too many. Those that if they slip out under a street gazebo make you smile – and a headline -, but among the stuccoes and refined draperies of Villa d’Este, no, they don’t work. To avoid risks, Vannacci preferred to alternate reading notes with spontaneous verbal sorties. But it didn’t work. Also because in front of him was a certain Mario Monti, senator for life, economist, former European commissioner and prime minister, who in Cernobbio even addresses the pier pillars informally. Let alone the audience… The 83-year-old did not just win the debate, he crushed it, and the first to realize it was Vannacci himself, who, leaving the debate room dazed, had to admit to reporters that «it was not obvious to convince the audience at the first invitation. I am happy because I was able to talk about my topics and I hope I intrigued those who were listening. I hope to be able to come back».
NO RASH JUDGMENTS
Beware, however, of writing off the former general. Because faced with an audience that reserved him little more than a polite applause, outside the room there was also the well-dressed lady, with designer sneakers and her phone out, who was insistently asking where Vannacci would come out to be able to «take a photo with him». And it should not be forgotten that while Cernobbio is certainly the most important event for entrepreneurs and economists, it is not necessarily a mirror of the country, as evidenced by polls showing Futuro Nazionale in continuous growth. Let’s get to the debate. The first to speak was Roberto Vannacci who asked for «not more Europe, but a different Europe».
Then he attacked the principle of unanimity of the vote that some would like to break: «It is a guarantee. If a proposal does not convince everyone, why should we change the voting system and not improve the proposal?». The attack on the EU was also harsh for its lack of attractiveness when he recalled that «after years of Maastricht, Great Britain left and Iceland a few days ago said, no thanks. If not everyone is eager to integrate into the EU, there must be a reason». And here are the reasons according to Vannacci: «The eurozone produced 30% of the world GDP, today we are at 15%; today they lay off those who produced the most beautiful cars in the world». Then the jab: «We have free movement of goods, but also of immigrants and on documents we can choose whether to be men or women». To those who accuse him of looking too much to the past he explains: «I will try to talk about the future, but with a fertility rate of 1.41% our future is short-lived». And again on the single army: «Thank goodness it didn’t start. My nightmare is to think that my daughters could go to war commanded by Macron or Von der Leyen».
Then it’s Mario Monti’s turn, who chooses the weapons of practical example and irony. And facing a subdued Vannacci he has a good game. The example is that of Alitalia: «The defense of Italian-ness cost citizens a fortune». The irony is aimed at those who computed Vannacci’s political program, Lorenzo Gasperini. Monti read a tweet from the professor who in full covid invoked «at least exclusion from sexual life» for young people who had been vaccinated. Monti wonders: «Two curiosities arise for me, one technical and the other political. The technical one is about the implementation of this sanction – a phrase that triggers laughter in the audience -, whether immediate castration is to be imagined, which would be a structural solution, or an electronic bracelet on another part of the body». Then, addressing Vannacci, he asks: «But when you gave credibility to Professor Gasperini were you aware of this writing?». Then Monti gets serious and the final part of his speech is also the harshest. First he accuses Vannacci of violating the Constitution with his political program.
Read more Sigfrido Ranucci humiliated by Piervincenzi: «Find your mental balance» | Libero Quotidiano.it
Then he presses him on history: «I do not see in you the reconstitution of the fascist party, but an aspect of fascism, the most insidious, is already underway. I find in you – continues the senator for life – the reconstruction of the narrative, the rhetoric of the spirit of fascism». And after saying he is «proud to be Italian»; Monti admits to being terrified «of a psychological reconstruction of a little Italy and the fact that since we cannot with current governments give more growth to our citizens because we care about their vote and not their well-being, then the population will have to be satisfied by indulging its identity».
Roberto Vannacci, in Cernobbio “tricks” Mario Monti: the unexpected reaction of the audience
A show, for Roberto Vannacci in Cernobbio. And, against all odds, at the Ambrosetti Forum the general collects applause…
THE AFTERMATH OF THE FACE-TO-FACE
Accusations to which Vannacci replies on the sidelines of the meeting: «There is nothing in my program contrary to the Constitution and the reconstruction of the fascist party, its narrative and rhetoric, I consider to be his (Monti’s, ed) personal convictions». Vannacci also explains that he is not «the Trojan horse of anyone, least of all Russia» and on electoral alliances reveals: «It is still early, but if someone converges towards our principles, we are always open to dialogue». To seal Vannacci’s black day came the words of Unicredit president, Pier Carlo Padoan: «What Monti said was very beautiful, everyone should listen to him».
Ps: at the end of the “rough” clash, a small mystery unfolded at Villa D’Este. While Vannacci, with his wife, had lunch with Teha CEO Valerio De Molli and the Albanian prime minister Edi Rama, Mario Monti preferred to sit at another table.
