In the Mastella vs. Calenda match at the Senate, the Melonians surprisingly side with the leader of Azione

In the dispute involving complaints between Clemente Mastella and Carlo CalendaFratelli d’Italia arrives unexpectedly and reveals itself to be “deeply” guarantor and sides with the second. Exactly. So much so that Sergio Rastrelliin the Senate authorization committee, was quick to defend the leader of Azione, sued by the mayor of Benevento for a tweet of his on April 3.

To understand what is happening in Palazzo Madama, let’s take a step back. In view of the European elections and the United States of Europe list that was being formed on the input of Matthew Renzi this was Calenda’s message: “It makes no sense to carry around, even through a third party, Cuffaro, Cesaro and Mastella. The culture of the mafia is the opposite of European values.”

All hell broke loose, Mastella immediately announced the complaint with fiery words – “This spoiled Parioli boy who plays at being a media bully cannot allow himself to associate my name and my political history with the mafia” – which inevitably ended up in court. So much so that in July here is the Roman investigating judge Constantine DeRobbio ask the Senate if it intended to grant immunity to Calenda because otherwise a trial for aggravated defamation could be on the horizon.

Calenda obviously defends himself, as he had done immediately, and as he repeated to his fellow senators a week ago when he heard from the Council because “Mastella had misunderstood” and he “had it in for Toto Cuffaro”. As a note from Azione immediately stated, “but not his” they now say in the Council. It adds as proof the interventions against the mafia by the senator from Azione Antonio D’Alessio. But evidently it is not enough, also because the constraints of article 68 are narrow and speak of specific personal interventions, and not of a party colleague.

It can’t be a good season for Calenda – who loses right on the same days Enrico Costaand then also Mariastella Gelmini and Mara Carfagna – because the mood in the Council seems to be against him. The M5S speaker There is Lopreiato is ready to deny him the immunity from prosecution. Ditto hearing from Ivan Scalfarotto of Iv who recalls how “the Consulta asks for very specific requirements to recognize it, that is, interventions that, in the same days or immediately before, were made both outside and inside the Senate”. Narrow boundaries, certainly, that cannot be stretched too much.

And here we are today. While the Democratic Party with Anna Rossomando and Alfredo Bazzoli proposes to reflect for another week, here is the Melonian Sergio Rastrelli very clear in favor of Calenda. A real surprise. It reminds us of the words of Adriano Parolithe one quoted by Calenda, to reduce his tweet “to a political evaluation” and ask “how can you say that it is not unchallengeable?”. Rastrelli does not conclude with the possible vote, but his profession, in this case, of super guarantees is very clear. Those who are listening to him are ready to say that the leniency towards Calenda can be useful to those who show off political aggression in the Senate. And certainly in the ranks of the government center-right there are many. Just think of the accusations against the magistrates.