Brussels, 10 May – “We cannot allow Europe to be dragged into a logic of passivity or resignation. We have the duty to act, and to do so with a democratic, reformist and deeply pro-European vision.” With these words, Sandro Gozi, Secretary General of the European Democratic Party, opened the first of a series of public events to be held in several EU capitals. A series aimed at reviving the debate on Europe’s role and its confrontation with modern populisms.
Joining Gozi were two leading political figures: Matteo Renzi, senator and leader of Italia Viva, and Maxime Prévot, current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, and former president of the centrist party Les Engagés.
In his speech, Renzi lamented Italy’s marginalisation in European affairs. “In 2016 we were with Merkel and Hollande in Ventotene, in 2022 with Draghi and Macron on the train to Kyiv. Today, Italy is no longer in the picture.” He blamed the Meloni government’s focus on media strategy over substance: “Giorgia Meloni is an influencer doing politics. She communicates brilliantly, but doesn’t govern.”
Renzi recalled that his latest book, The Influencer, is dedicated to Meloni, offering a critical look at how she rose to power more through communication than vision. “She is the best communicator in Italian politics – but Italy cannot be run on marketing alone.” He also defended difficult political choices – blocking Salvini in 2019, supporting Mario Draghi in 2021 – saying: “It’s better to be right than popular.”
Maxime Prévot delivered a powerful message on restoring honesty and complexity to public debate. “Populism cannot be defeated with slogans, but with truth and courage.” “The courage of nuance,” Prévot said, “is about embracing complexity in a world obsessed with oversimplification. That takes respect for people’s intelligence.” He stressed the need to resist polarisation and urgently reform the EU’s decision-making process: “Unanimity paralyses Europe. In a fast-moving world, we respond too slowly.”
The debate extended to geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Renzi concluded: “These are difficult but exciting times. Politics can still change history. Europe must go back to being the continent of ideas.”
Yvan Verougstraete, president of Les Engagés, closed the event with these words: “Look far ahead, speak the truth, act with justice. Politics is service, courage and responsibility. The centre is still the place where the common good can be built.”
