In her remarks, Elly Schlein, the national secretary of the Democratic Party (PD), confronted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, asserting that it is Meloni's party, the Brothers of Italy (FdI), that is engaged in negative tactics as they approach the referendum. Schlein emphasized that the narrative painted by Meloni is a distortion of reality and called attention to the aggressive online campaigns by FdI.

Schlein's comments were made during the second stage of the PD's campaign "Italy is Restarting" held in Florence, where she aimed to challenge the government's performance across various issues, including economic policies and justice reforms. She portrayed the upcoming referendum as a significant moment for public engagement and urged voters not to be swayed by the negative campaigning.

The exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions in Italy, particularly between the left and right, as the country navigates critical democratic processes. With the referendum on the horizon, both parties are gearing up for a heated battle, and Schlein's remarks underscore the Democratic Party's strategy to position itself as a defender of rational discourse in contrast to what it perceives as Meloni's inflammatory approach.