Electoral law, center-right cohesion, Vannacci, Ukraine, femicide, Grillo, end of life and Milan: Senate President Ignazio La Russa addressed all the key topics of the day in his speech at the Portofino Talks 2026 organized by Philia Associates.
On the new electoral law, he explained that polls were showing a tie as the most likely outcome with a united broad coalition: "We prefer to lose rather than tie," he said, in order to prevent "teams with opposing agendas from governing." Hence the governability bonus — not a majority bonus — awarded to whoever receives one more vote. On the matter of preferences, a compromise was reached, and the governability list of names will consist solely of lead candidates.
The government, La Russa noted, has broken the longevity record and has always voted as a bloc, reaching consensus: "I wish the left would come closer to the center-right's capacity for consensus," he said. Elections will be held at the natural expiry of the term "barring needs for the good of the country." On Vannacci, La Russa noted that Futuro Nazionale for now "strengthens the center-left" and will remain so: "it has nothing to do with the center-right coalition." Among the positions put forward by the general that La Russa does not share, he cited the defense of Ukraine and the recognition of femicide.
