Moods are always swinging around a grouping that is not necessarily aligned with either the right or the left. The so-called Third Pole is sometimes seen as a rosy political prospect other times as a futile intellectual exercise doomed to failure because of the Italian political system's supposed tendency toward bipolarity. Yet,in the 2022 general elections, the forces that could be part of it hovered around 10% which is more than what both the League and Forza Italia have today. and slightly less than what the M5S brings home.
Crazy rivalries
The main problem of the Third Pole so far has been the absurd and ridiculous rivalry between Renzi and Calenda. But there is not only this. There is also a problem of sharing the political line, which cannot all be centered on the figure of the leader. Now that Renzi, without consulting his party, has decided to side with Schlein and Conte, Calenda could take advantage of this to revive the idea of a moderate and reformist pole. But he should give up going it alone and always being him and only him in the showcase by involving, instead, the whole leadership group in a more incisive way.
The risk of exodus
Unfortunately, there are no signs in this direction. On the contrary, there is talk of a probable exodus not only from Italia Viva , stressed by Renzi's constant pirouettes, but also from Azione, although Calenda has so far held a less unpredictable line. Should Azione also crumble as will most likely happen to Italia Viva , that would be a real shame. Italy needs a moderate area of 10-12 % that can condition both the left and the right. Forza Italia is doing a very good job of preventing dangerous swerves in the Meloni-led coalition: if it could count on an outside bank of 10-12% it would surely be better able to keep at bay the extremist impulses of Salvini and some nostalgic people.
A more inclusive autonomous force
The autonomous Third Pole could perform the same function vis-à-vis the alliance that is looming on the left. Renzi is aiming with a meager 2% to be decisive in the games with Schlein and Conte, but no one on the left trusts him much anymore. If Calenda made room for other leaders in Action the Third Pole project could be revived. Also because among that 50% of voters who do not vote surely there are many moderate reformists who would like to have a valid reason to re-engage in a politics of concrete things and not of talk, maneuvering and power games.
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