Santanchè, useless show: downloaded by Fratelli d'Italia

The motion of no confidence in the Minister of Tourism, as expected, did not pass (206 no, 134 yes and one abstention). Equally predictable were the moves of the government and the majority to avoid falling into one of the many chasms opened by their latest contradictions, from the Elmasry case to international balances. Just as it was expected that Daniela Santanchè would defend herself in the Chamber in a colorful manner. But perhaps not to this extent.

THE MINISTER enters the chamber dressed in dark red. It's not a detail: when the motion was discussed she wore white, yesterday she chose a color that would equally make her stand out among the wood paneling. And then because much of her speech Santanchè focuses on her way of appearing, even if in a victimist key in her governing style. "For you I am the emblem of everything you detest - she says, addressing the opposition benches - I wear 12-centimeter heels, I care about my body, I love to dress well, I am the one from Twiga and Billionaire (the clubs in partnership with Flavio Briatore, ed.)". And then she launches into a hyperbole: "I represent absolute evil for you". She mentions the bags herself ("There is no fear in mine"), perhaps hoping to neutralize the predictable irony of the opposition on the fake ones she supposedly gave to Francesca Pascale to curry favor with Silvio Berlusconi, but the intent fails. Santanchè is not in Montecitorio to defend and promote the government or herself but her brand.

She alternates attacks on the center-left ("you looked for me - she alludes - but I'm a lady and I don't talk about it") with moments of self-pity ("I'm in a media life sentence"), up to the exaltation of her work at the Ministry of Tourism. She denies having been isolated from the rest of the center-right group and in fact the government posts are not empty this time. Alongside her are many ministers (Ciriani, Casellati, Schillaci, Bernini, Roccella, Calderoli, Valditara, Abodi, Giuli, Foti) and three undersecretaries. Antonio Tajani, already in the Chamber for the commemoration of former ambassador Luca Attanasio, leaves before the discussion on the no-confidence vote begins. Salvini is also absent. No big names among the ranks of the majority.

REALITY , after the statements of circumstance, presents itself once the vote is over through the words of Massimo Ruspandini, vice president of Fratelli d'Italia in the Chamber. To the appreciation for the speech, Ruspandini adds thanks "for what he said at the end, that is, that if she were unfortunately sent to trial for the INPS affair, she would leave her government post". A bizarre acceleration compared to the wait-and-see attitude of recent months, perhaps due to the rest of Santanchè's sentence on her resignation. "There will be another preliminary hearing soon, I will reflect but I will do it only with myself, without pressure or conditioning". It is likely that Meloni was annoyed. Ruspandini had the task of showing her the door, in place of the Prime Minister who, unlike what happened with Delmastro (sentenced to 8 months by the Rome court for revealing official secrets in the affair of the anarchist Alfredo Cospito), did not want to put her face on the issue. Or "could not", as the opposition says in its replies.

ATTACKS the leader of the M5S, Giuseppe Conte, «if he is still in his position there are only two explanations: the first is that you, Santanchè, are blackmailing Meloni, the second is that Fdi after having had as its motto “law and order”, today feels like an untouchable caste and the Delmastro case is the example». The secretary of the Pd, Elly Schlein, addresses Meloni directly: «What is stopping you from having her resign? You were a world champion in requests for resignations and now you are deserting this chamber, are you hiding? Maybe you are recording another video for the next convention among chainsaws and Nazi salutes». And Elisabetta Piccolotti of Avs presses her: «Why did she bring up the president of the Senate? Are you open to blackmail? And why does the prime minister continue to cover for her while she delegitimizes a ministry?». Italia Viva, Più Europa and Azione also intervene to declare the vote in favor of the no-confidence motion, despite not having signed the motion.

BUT, WHILE the replies are on, the minister doesn't listen. She leaves the room for more than 20 minutes, then comes back and talks on the phone, shows the phone, writes on the phone, dramatizing her disinterest and flaunting her confidence and her brand. After all, just a few minutes earlier she had exclaimed: "You will never make me become like you, I will always have stiletto heels."