Rai, the state broadcaster, called off the European election debate scheduled for 23rd May. Seen as a head-to-head between Meloni and Schlein, the broadcaster said only four parties had responded to the call to debate.
Today, state broadcaster Rai called off a European election debate scheduled for 23rd May between Premier Giorgia Meloni, and centre-left opposition Democratic Party (PD) chief Elly Schlein.
The broadcaster said only four of the eight parties had responded to calls to debate. Therefore, there was not the majority requested by media watchdog AGCOM for the debate to go ahead.
Meloni, who is also leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, and Schlein, have no intention of taking up their seats in Strasbourg if elected. They have both been criticised for an allegedly excessive personalisation of the campaign.
Leftwing populist 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte, a former premier, was among those who now called for Meloni and Schlein to debate all the other leaders. Independent broadcaster La7 offered to host such a debate.
