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Gualmini Quits Italy’s PD for Calenda’s Azione, Moving to Renew Europe

She framed the switch as a response to what she calls the PD’s leftward turn toward radical allies.

Overview

  • Announcing the decision at a Senate press conference with Carlo Calenda, Elisabetta Gualmini declared, “I join Renew Europe.”
  • She will leave the Socialists and Democrats group to sit with Renew Europe, becoming Azione’s sole MEP after the party failed to elect members in 2024.
  • Gualmini praised Azione’s pro‑European, pro‑Ukraine stance and criticized what she described as PD’s ambiguity on Ukraine and its justice campaign.
  • She said she will vote yes in the referendum and condemned rhetoric she called populist within PD.
  • Gualmini remains cited in the Qatargate inquiry; a Belgian request to lift her parliamentary immunity was voted down by the European Parliament and the investigation continues.