Ravioli, cuttlefish, and ice cream: dinner at Meloni's house for the regional elections. "We can't lose Marche."

Antonio Tajani provided the ice cream, and Maurizio Lupi took care of the drinks. Giorgia Meloni prepared ravioli and cuttlefish with tomato sauce. Matteo Salvini appreciated the service and brought reassuring news from Luca Zaia.

Here's the menu for the dinner at the prime minister's villa with center-right leaders. The meeting, which lasted a couple of hours, included next fall's regional elections. A decent feast without any white smoke.

Last night's dinner wasn't the last one, in the sense that it's destined to be repeated next week: the candidates' names haven't been chosen yet, starting with Veneto.

"We must win the Marche region: these are the first elections of this round, taking place in September, and we must create a virtuous circle capable of carrying the center-right through the challenges that will immediately follow. So let's all get to work for Francesco Acquaroli," was Meloni's message, shared with the leaders of Lega, Forza Italia, and Noi Moderati. The host has confirmed her presence in the Marche region upon her return from her tour of Asia.

It was said of Zaia, a stone guest at the prime minister's villa nestled in the quiet of southern Rome. Salvini reassured those present that he had spoken with the outgoing governor of Veneto: if he were to create his own list, it would be a problem for everyone, starting with the Northern League. But at the same time, the League is insisting on nominating deputy secretary Alberto Stefani, blocking the appetites of the Brothers of Italy and any civic temptation.

For the other candidates still in the balance, those from Campania and Puglia, the quintessential Berlusconi method has been chosen: starting today, all potential candidates will be polled using surveys conducted by institutes specializing in these matters. It will be a way to choose the best candidate, or at least the one with the least potential losses, in rather complex regions currently governed by the center-left.

Between September and November, therefore, elections will take place in the Marche, Campania, Tuscany, Veneto, Valle d'Aosta, and Puglia regions. Those who were there tell Il Foglio of a very relaxed atmosphere, and the ice cream Tajani brought did the rest. Or, to be mischievous, yesterday's dinner marks an armed truce: the cuttlefish are excellent, but they squirt ink and can be unpleasant...

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