Italian Election Game - ROUND 3

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I'll play as the Democratic Party, if you don't mind (sorry, I'm cheesy).

Thanks!

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Could I reserve Popular Area?

I'd like to play, and I can fill out anything official within exactly sixteen hours.

That's ok with me!

So I don't need anything filled out?

No. The first round will start on the day after tomorrow. Then you'll have to post your schedules and other stuff that I'll explain soon

Isn't that today? But I thought the first round started on the nineteenth...

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To help you, tomorrow I'll post how parties stand on various issues.

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Who all still needs to update?

Kingpoleon and darthebearnc.
I hope they'll post soon.

Hi!

Sorry for the long wait; I've been pretty busy and haven't been able to update yet.

I will have my posts in by tonight for sure, though!

Thanks!

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Democratic Party Campaign - September 9 to September 25

2015 Democratic Party Leadership Election Results:

✓ Prime Minister Matteo Renzi - 91%
Write-In Candidates - 9%

"Grazie! Grazie! Thank you, thank you, all of Italy! Thank you!

Today has been an unforgettable day in the history of our sacred Republic. Today, the people of our great Democratic Party have issued a great mandate, a mandate in favor of progress, reform, and prosperity for all of Italy. Today, the people of our great Democratic Party have decided to elect a leader who knows what he's doing, who knows how to do it, and who has shown, throughout the past one and a half years, that he has what it takes to lead La Repubblica Italiana.

And it brings immense joy to my heart to know that that leader is me.

Today, the people of the Democratic Party have decided that the Renzi Administration has done well for Italy, that our government has done everything in its power to fight for the Italian people, that our leadership knows how to fix our nation and knows how to do it well.

And the people of the Democratic Party are not wrong.

Over the past one and a half years, while I have been Prime Minister of the Republic, our nation has seen historic progress, reform, and prosperity found rarely in the international community under today's conditions. Unemployment today is lower than it was when I came into office, our nation's Gross Domestic Product is noticeably higher, and Consumer Confidence rating of the Republic has skyrocketed. Furthermore, the Renzi Administration has brought Italy out of a crippling recession that, if left unchecked, would have damaged our nation's economy and way of living drastically.

But, of course, Italy's economic conditions did not just improve under the Renzi Administration arbitrarily. While in office, I led efforts in the Parlamento Italiano to encourage economic growth, stability, and improvement in our nation - not just for the businesses that help our nation's economy strive, but for the common Italian citizen who relies on fair treatment from the government in order to succeed.

Under the Renzi Administration, we passed the Jobs Act, a historic economic renovation that bolstered the economy of the Republic and helped unemployed Italians get back to work. The Jobs Act relaxed unreasonable restrictions against employers that made the employment process unbearably burdensome, and simplified employment contracts in order to take bureaucracy out of the private sector and make the hiring process easier and less complicated. Furthermore, the Jobs Act provided long-awaited maternity benefits for employed mothers looking to take care of their children, and dealt with the problem of unemployment by providing incentives to employers for hiring more employees, as well as creating new benefits for unemployed citizens in order to help those unable to find work.

I ask you, why would one oppose such an act - an act that has already decreased the unemployment rate in Italy, an act that assures working mothers that they will have the benefits they have long waited for, an act that simplifies the hiring process to ensure that Italians across the nation have the knowledge an ability necessary to join the Republic's work force?

But the work of the Renzi Administration has not only helped Italy from an economic perspective. During my time in office, I championed an overhaul of our Republic's education system that bettered education opportunities for Italian youth around the nation. As part of our school reform, we reconstructed the teacher salary apportionment process to encourage merit in teaching rather than just seniority, and gave schools around the nation more freedom to set curricula and school operations in order to better prepare students for the future.

Furthermore, the school reform our administration set in place provided incentives that have and will continue to encourage the hiring of thousands and thousands more teachers in schools around the nation, which will help to provide students nationwide with a better quality education.

However, arguably the most important political reforms of my administration have been the recent passing of the electoral and Senate reforms by our nation's Parliament.

Earlier this year, I led the charge to reform our nation's flawed electoral system in order to make it simpler, fairer, and more representative of the opinions of the Italian people. Italicum reformed the system by which our nation's representatives are elected into office by introducing a two-round, party-list proportional representation voting system, and by allocating a majority bonus in order to stabilize our nation's political system.

Furthermore, the political reforms implemented by the Renzi Administration will put a halt to corrupt political horse-trading, and, when implemented, will put an immediate stop to the political instability that has produced 60 separate political administrations in Italy since the end of World War II.

I ask you, Italy - is this the record of a successful administration? Is this the record of a leader who has answered the calls of his people and fulfilled his promises to make Italy a better place for all who are blessed to be part of it? Is this the record of a man who has willingly put his own political power at risk in order to call a new election and let the people of Italy themselves determine who should be leading our nation?

The people of the Democratic Party have already given a resounding answer - yes. With more than 90% of the vote, today they decided to give another chance to a leader who has spent the last one and a half years fighting constantly for the rights, freedoms, and prosperity of all Italians, regardless of race, gender, age, wealth class, or sexual identity. Today, the people of the Democratic Party have decided to give another chance to none other than Matteo Renzi himself.

I am honored to have been chosen by the Democratic Party to continue to represent the people of Italy as Prime Minister, and I look forward to spreading my message on the campaign trail as the general election approaches.

However, of course, this campaign will not just be about my record as Prime Minister. It will also be about what I know our party can do for this nation if elected to another term in government.

If we win the upcoming election, the people of Italy will have chosen to continue our current era of progress, reform, and prosperity. If we win the upcoming election, Italy will be in store for a variety of economic, educational, and social reforms that will further our nation's development and bolster its status as one of the most progressive and free nations on earth. If we win the upcoming election, our victory will be not just one for the Democratic Party, but one for the nation and people of Italy as a whole.

If reelected to another term, I promise to take on important issues in our nation such as rights for LGBT Italians, the immigration crisis currently gripping our nation, and further economic and political reforms that can revolutionize our nation as one by the people and for the people.

As Prime Minister, I will continue to fight to give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Italian citizens the same full rights as their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, by not just enthusiastically recognizing their relationships as valid and legal, but by protecting our LGBT brothers and sisters from discrimination, both in the work place and in the community.

As Prime Minister, I will continue to protect the interests of the Italian people in the current refugee crisis our region is experiencing, but will also make sure to protect the interests of the refugees who seek asylum from the hell they have escaped. It is disgusting that - every day - we see and hear new pictures and stories in the news of dead mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers from the Middle East and Northern Africa who are simply trying to escape from their homes, which have been overrun with violence, terror, and extremism. We need to stop treating these refugees as if they are the enemies - instead, we must realize that the true enemies are the people who are responsible for making these people want to leave their homelands.

As Prime Minister, I will continue to promote the economic and political reforms that have been launched during my first one and a half years as the leader of the Republic, and I will make sure that none of the work we have already accomplished will go to waste.

As Prime Minister, I will continue to promote Italy's interests throughout the world, whether that be by asserting our nation as an economic superpower on the global stage, by promoting Italy's right to have a voice in international matters, or by protecting Italy from catastrophe by encouraging the ratification of deals, such as that currently being negotiated with Iran, which will prevent it from wreaking havoc upon the world by building a nuclear arsenal.

As Prime Minister, I will continue to do everything within my power to help out the average Italian, and will stop at nothing to make sure that the era of progress, reform, and prosperity that our people initiated will never come to a close.

I must ask you, people of Italy - are you ready?

Thank you, and buona notte!"

1,533 words later...

UP NEXT: Democratic Party Campaign Strategy and Schedule

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Democratic Party Campaign - September 19 to September 25

Democratic Party Campaign Strategy:

Secretary:

- Matteo Renzi

Deputy Secretary:

- Lorenzo Guerini
- Debora Serracchiani

President:

- Matteo Orfini

Spokesperson:

- Lorenzo Guerini

Logo:



Slogan:

"Uniti per il Progresso" ("United for Progress")

Campaign Goals Summary:

The campaign platform of the Democratic Party in the 2015 Italian General Election will revolve around three central tenants - (a) defending the current administration of Matteo Renzi, (b) explaining why the positions of the Democratic Party are better for Italy than those of other political groups, and (c) highlighting new policy proposals for a second Renzi Administration.

First, the Democratic Party campaign will focus upon defending the policies of our current administration, led by incumbent Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Our campaign will draft a variety of publications regarding the major policy decisions made by the Renzi Administration, and will distribute said publications through newspapers, media advertisements, and online networking. These publications will deal with major pieces of legislation supported and passed by the Renzi Administration, including the Jobs Act, the Good School Bill, and Italicum. While newspaper advertisements will be focused more towards adult-oriented issues such as the Jobs Act and Italicum, advertisements published online and through social media will have a primary audience of younger voters, and will hence focus on issues important to young people, such as the Good School educational reform.

Second, our party's campaign will focus on promoting the policy positions of the Democratic Party over those of other political groups. The Democratic Party will criticize the platforms of other political parties for having interests contrary to those of the Italian people. This will be done through the same methods as listed above (newspaper advertisements, television commercials, online media, etc.) While the Democratic Party will criticize North League, Popular Area, Brothers of Italy, and Forza Italia for their opposition to LGBT rights, the Democratic Party will criticize North League, Forza Italia, Brothers of Italy, Conservatives and Reformists, and the Five Star Movement for their positions on immigration.

Finally, the third tenant of the Democratic Party campaign focus will revolve around promoting the party's platform, goals, and ideas for the future. While this will be done using the same methods as the last two goals (media advertisements, television commercials, newspaper editorials, etc.), this goal will emphasize goals for the future, rather than records from the past. Issues discussed will include LGBT rights, the refugee crisis, terrorist threats, the Iran Deal, more political reform, more economic reform, and more educational reform. Throughout this tenant of campaigning, the main messages highlighted will be populism and fighting for the rights, freedoms, and prosperity of the average Italian citizen.

Campaign Strategy Summary:

Strategies employed by the Democratic Party in order to win the election include:

- A multitude of appearances by multiple party leaders on television news shows, radio programs, and in real-life rallies and events

- Mass use of advertisements through newspapers, the television, and online networking (funded through campaign donations)

- Maintaining an overall positive campaign outlook, even with negative advertisements accounted for

- Use of social media to inspire younger voters to become politically active

- Portrayal of Renzi as a common, modest, humble man who understands the problems of regular Italians

UP NEXT: Campaign Schedule for the Democratic Party!

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Democratic Party Campaign - September 19 to September 25

Campaign Schedule:

September 19 - Rally in Rome



"Hello, people of Rome! Thank you, thank you! It's wonderful to be here this beautiful morning in the capital of the greatest nation on Earth. But sometimes I am asked - why is Italy the greatest nation on Earth? What is it that makes Italy the greatest? Well, the answer is simple. La Repubblica Italiana is the greatest place on Earth because of the people that live in it. Never have I seen any other place on our globe - and trust me, I've been to a lot of places throughout my work as Prime Minister - where the people are as open, loving, and caring as they are in Italy. Never have I seen such an epitome of friendliness, hopefulness, and grace as I have in La Repubblica. Italy has a reputation for being one of the kindest and most affectionate nations on Earth, and that is something we should all cherish. However, it might not stay that way for long. As you all know, there is currently a refugee crisis happening throughout Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Europe that needs to be addressed. Throughout the region, people are suffering at the hands of cruel dictators and tyrants, and they know that the only option they have left if they want to protect their families is to escape and come to Europe. However, what good is that if we're just going to turn them back? As a nation, we need to keep our reputation of being good-natured and considerate by accepting these refugees and protecting them from what would otherwise be a terrible fate. We need to realize that the refugees are not the true enemies - instead, the real enemies are the people who are forcing them to abandon their homelands. The people of Italy need to show compassion towards our fellow humans, and protect them at whatever cost it takes. I know you have what it takes, Rome. Does the rest of Italy? We will have to wait until election day to find out."

September 20 - Rally in Milano



"Hello, Milano! Thank you! Thank you for inviting me to your city this evening! Thank you! Recently, I'm sure you've all seen some advertisements from other political groups criticizing me as a selfish and elitist leader. People from all over the political spectrum - the far right, the far left, and the center - have been attacking me, and for some reason, all of them think that I don't have the true interests of the people of Italy in my heart. However, I must ask you - would a selfish leader surrender their own political power by calling a new election to let the people of Italy decide who should be in government themselves? Would a selfish leader sacrifice the support of a faction of his own party in order to make sure that electoral reform is passed in order to better represent the people of Italy? Would a selfish leader advocate for an economic reform bill - the Italicum - that would help the common, everyday people of Italy prosper economically when he could use his influence for his own economic gain? I can not answer these questions for you myself, people of Italy. It is up to you to answer them."

September 21 - Rally in Napoli



"Hello, people of Napoli! Thank you! Thank you! Yesterday morning, I went to the wedding ceremony of my good friend Giovanni Romano. Giovanni and I have known each other since high school, and he has been one of my biggest supporters for years now. I was so excited when I heard that he was getting married to the love of his life, and I was honored to be able to spend time with one of my best friends during what was sure to be one of the best days of his life. Now, there's one thing that I might have forgotten to mention. Giovanni, like more than four million other proud Italian citizens in our great nation, is in love with someone of the same sex. When I went to the wedding ceremony of my friend Giovanni and his partner, Marco Lombardi, I was reminded how much it means to members of the LGBT community that their love be accepted and appreciated in the same thing that love between members of opposite sexes is. That's why, as Prime Minister of Italy, I will continue to fight in favor of recognition of same-sex relationships, and will do whatever it takes to make sure that Giovanni and Marco are treated in the exact same way as the rest of us are. That's what real equality is. Giovanni and Marco are simply asking for equality and the freedom to love each other like the rest of us do - is that too much to ask? Of course not. I'm ready to fight for equal rights for the LGBT community. I know Napoli is ready to fight for equal rights for the LGBT community. Is Italy? For the sake of Marco and Giovanni, I sure hope so."

UP NEXT: Campaign Schedule Part 2

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Democratic Party Campaign - September 19 to September 25

Campaign Schedule Part 2:

September 22 - Rally in Turin



"Thank you! Thank you very much, Turin, I'm so excited to be here this evening! Thank you! Earlier today, I was dining with supporters at a restaurant in the City Square when a man named Angelo brought up a very good point. He said, "This fall, my two boys began their first year at a new school. I know that you've worked throughout your time in the Legislature to pass education reform, but it always seems like these bills just contain a lot of legal jargon and I don't understand how they actually apply to the lives of me and my children. How will they affect us, personally?" I thought this was a great question because too often these days do we see people becoming politically disenfranchised due to how complicated or arbitrary political actions may seem. And what I told Mr. Angelo is the same thing I'll tell you. The Good Schools Bill passed by the Italian Legislature earlier this year reformed our education system in a few very simple ways. First, it changed teacher salary allocation methods so teachers are payed based off of how well they teach, not just how long they've been teaching. The bill also provided incentives to schools to hire thousands and thousands of more teachers to better prepare our students for the future, and allowed individual schools to form their own curricula and school operations in order to make sure that each child's individual education needs are met. Now that's not so complicated, is it?"

September 23 - Rally in Florence



"Hello, Florence! Thank you for having me here this fine day! Thank you! Today, I'd like to address the issue of Italy's place in the international community. Recently, we've been seeing quite a global controversy regarding the Iran Nuclear Weapons Deal. This deal, proposed by the member nations of the European Union - including Italy - and a variety of other nations around the world, was made in order to prevent the government of Iran from creating a nuclear arsenal. The deal does this by closing all uranium enrichment facilities in Iran other than the highly-monitored one in Natanz, as well as allowing authorities from the United Nations to inspect the Iran nuclear facilities and make sure that they are not enriching uranium in order to create nuclear weapons. This deal is vital to preventing Iran from creating a nuclear arsenal, which would have horrible affects upon Italy and the rest of the world. While I know that some people do not support this deal, it is mandatory that it is passed in order to guarantee a safe future for us, our children, and our children's children for generations to come. I know that I'm ready to see this deal be put into effect, I know the people of Florence are ready to see this deal be put into effect, and most of all, I know the people of Italy are ready to see this deal be put into effect."

September 24 - Appearance on Porta a Porta



Host: "Hello, everyone, and welcome to Porta a Porta! This episode, we have a very important guest appearing on the show - everyone please welcome Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi!"

Renzi: "Thank you, thank you very much. It's so nice to be able to see so many proud Italian citizens here to take part in the political process."

Host: "Prime Minister Renzi, what do you plan to do about the current refugee crisis going on throughout the region?"

Renzi: "That's a great question. The refugee crisis that our region is currently facing is possibly one of the most important issues there is. Italy has to recognize that the people fleeing their homelands have no other choice but to go to a place where they are not at risk of being violated by brutal dictatorial regimes - rather than shunning these people from our society, we need to welcome them with open arms and realize that they have the same goals as we do - to keep their families safe and live a productive, safe, successful life."

Host: "Recently, you have been attacked by political opponents for the content of the Jobs Act, which was passed earlier in your term as Prime Minister. What do you have to say about that?"

Renzi: "I think the thing that a lot of people don't understand is how simple the reforms in the Jobs Act really are. Don't look at it as just another corrupt economic bill meant to help the billionaires in our nation and hurt the working class - rather, the point of this bill is to do just the opposite. The Jobs Act decreases unemployment in our nation by making employment processes easier for employers to fulfill, providing tax incentives for employers to hire new employees, and simplifying the job contract process. Already, we've seen that the Jobs Act works - ever since it was introduced, the unemployment rate in our nation has gone down, Italy's Gross Domestic Product has gone up, and the Consumer Confidence index has skyrocketed. What does that tell you about the Jobs Act?

September 25 - Appearance on Quinta Colonna



Host: "Everybody, please give a warm welcome to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi!"

Renzi: "Thank you, thank you! It's great to be here tonight! I can't wait to be able to tell the Italian people what my vision for our great Republic is!"

Host: "I am very excited to hear what you have to say as well. However, it seems like many other people are not. Recently, Maurizio Landini of the United Left said that "Renzi doesn't give a damn about workers." He also said that you follow "the same neoliberal policies dictated by bankers and bosses, stripping away the workers' dignity." What do you have to say about that?

Renzi: "Well clearly, my friend Landini here is very angry. I think he is under the unfortunate impression that I do not care about the people of Italy, that I would rather cater to the interests of the millionaires and billionaires than the interests of the working class. However, I don't even know why he thinks that. What did I do as Prime Minister to hurt the people of Italy? I can't think of anything. One of the major things I did do to affect the Italian people economically was the Jobs Act, but I'm sure we can all agree that that helped the people of Italy, not harmed them. The Jobs Act was responsible for lowering the unemployment rate by providing incentives to business owners to hire new employees, and it's obviously worked, as unemployment is much lower than it was when I came into office, the Consumer Confidence index is way up, and the recession is over! Why would Landini be mad about that?

Host: "The North League has also said that you have "brought our country just further down the road" and that you need to "go home." What do you think?

Renzi: "Well, I don't really think the North League understands that Italy is my home! I've lived here all my life, and throughout my years, I've grown a deep love and respect for the nation and people of Italy. Where am I to go? I certainly don't think I should go away, as under the Renzi Administration, we've seen unemployment go down, the recession end, and the Consumer Confidence Index go up. We've also seen massive advances in civil rights, a large number of good reforms in education that will prepare our nation's youth better for the future, and quite a lot of substantial political reforms that have made our democracy better at representing the people. Why should I go away, North League? Do you not like what I have done?"

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So yeah, it looks like a lot of people need extensions (including me)...

What is your decision?

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Would Thursday night at midnight (EST) be alright?

I sincerely apologize for the long wait.

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I am sorry Chris, but I have lost interest in this, so I am out. Apologies all around to the rest of you.

Hate to hear this.

But what happens next?

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Democratic Party Campaign - September 26 to October 3

September 26 - Rally in Venice



"Hello, Venice! Thank you, thank you for joining me here in your beautiful city this fine day! It brings joy to my heart to know that the people of Venice are kind, compassionate, and generous enough to extend such a warm welcome to their Prime Minister and his message of freedom, equality, and justice. But, Venice, I ask you - are you willing to extend that same warm welcome to the people around our world who need to seek refuge in Italy in order to attain freedom, equality, and justice instead of the violence, hatred, and totalitarianism that is currently inflicted upon them? I think the people of Venice and the people of Italy are willing to rise to the occasion, and I am confident that our nation's citizens will show the same kindness and generosity to refugees from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia that you have shown in the past. However, unfortunately, I am not sure that everyone is willing to do so. Recently, we've seen people from groups like Lega Nord, Forza Italia, the Brothers of Italy, and the Conservatives and Reformists come out against being willing to help these unfortunate people escape their devastating situations, with Lega Nord saying this week that it wants to say 'No!' to refugees trying to escape the violence in their homelands and seek shelter in the Republic. But, Venice, we know that this is not what Italy stands for. Instead, we will say 'Yes!' to helping those less fortunate than us find safety, protection, and prosperity within Italy's borders. We will do what it takes to make sure that these refugees are not harmed, tortured, and killed by the brutal regimes in their homelands, and we do what it takes to create peace and prosperity around the world in order to make sure that these refugees can go back to their homelands when they are no longer endangered. Italy, we must recognize that the refugees are not the enemies - rather, the enemies are those forcing them from the places they have lived in for hundreds and thousands of years. Will you stand with me, Venice? Will you, Italy? Now is the time to decide."

September 27 - Rally in Naples



"Hello, Naples! Thank you for the warm welcome! I really appreciate it! The people of your city clearly want to know what this campaign is about, and I'm here today to tell you. You know, this campaign is not about throwing around hateful personal attacks. This campaign is not about attacking the current administration even when there is no evidence or logic to back the assertions. This campaign is not about a negative message for Italy. Naples, this campaign is about a positive message of hope and change, and it is about explaining what each party will do to help Italy if put in power. Now, it's not my job to tell you what the other parties want to do if they get a majority in the legislature this year. That's their job. But it is up to me to tell you what the Renzi Administration has done to help the people of Italy over the past years, and it is up to me to tell you what the Renzi Administration plans to keep doing if allowed more time in office. Naples, as many of you know, one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by the Renzi Administration this year has been the Jobs Act. The Jobs Act, which was approved in February 2015, helps the people of Italy economically in a variety of ways. The act made it easier for employers to engage in formerly complicated hiring practices in order to make sure that the employment process is faster and simpler, and the act created new and larger benefits for unemployed Italians in order to make sure that they are able to find work and take part in expanding Italy's economy as fast as possible. The Jobs Act provided maternity benefits to mothers in Italy so they are able to care for their newborn children, and the act simplified employment contracts to make sure that employees and employers both get a fair say in how their job is done. And that's not all. We've already seen the results of the Jobs Act come into effect, with our nation's unemployment rate much lower than it was before the act was passed and many mothers around the nation using the maternity benefits to care for their children during the most important days of their lives. Naples, is that what you want from your government? Do you want a government that has shown it can pass effective, comprehensive reform that has helped employees and workers around the nation? Do you want a government that has shown it is willing to do so again if reelected this year? I do. I think the people of Naples do. And most of all, I think that the people of Italy are ready to Ride with Renzi again in 2015. Thank you Naples, and thank you Italy!"

September 28 - Rally in Florence



"Hello, Florence! Thank you for inviting me to your city today! You know, it is great to be able to travel around our nation and visit the people of Italy in order to get to know what issues they care about and what they want from their government. In fact, just yesterday, when I was in Naples, I was able to talk with the people there about the economic reforms of the Renzi Administration and how they helped our nation's people by making life easier for employers and employees, providing maternity benefits for mothers who want to care for their children, and lowering our nation's unemployment rate in order to make sure that more people are at work. But today, Florence, I want to talk to you about our very own political system. Under the Renzi Administration, the Italian Legislature and I have worked to pass valuable, comprehensive, and helpful legal reform that has made our electoral and government systems simpler, more understandable, and more representative of the peoples' interests. This reform was passed in a bill called the Italicum, and once it comes into effect, our nation will see a better, more advanced government system that will exalt the democratic process and represent the true interests of the people. But I'm sure many of you are asking - why is Italicum good for Italy? Why should you want to support a bill that many other people have attacked and called wrong? Well, Florence, I'll tell you why. What Italicum did was modify our nation's electoral system so representatives are elected using a two-round, party-list proportional representation voting system that was implemented to represent the interests of the Italian people more accurately. Furthermore, the bill implemented a majority bonus to the party in Parliament that gains the most votes, meaning that the government will be more stable and secure than it was in the past. I ask you, Italy - do you want a government that has seen sixty separate administrations and political leaders since the end of the Second World War? Do you want a corrupt political system that does not represent the people of Italy well? Do you want an unstable, ineffective system of government that does nothing to help Italy? I don't. Florence doesn't. Italy doesn't. And if you don't Italicum is right for you. The Democratic Party is right for you. The Renzi Administration is right for you, and most importantly, right for the people of Italy. Thank you, and good night!"

September 29 - Appearance on Di Martedí



Host: Good evening, Prime Minister Renzi. It is delightful to have you on our show tonight.

Renzi: Thank you! It's great to be here, and it's great to be able to show the people of Italy what I stand for and what the Renzi Administration has done and will do to help the people of the Republic.

Host: Well, it seems that some other people do not think that the Renzi Administration has and will help our nation. For example, Maurizio Landini of the United Left has said that Italy's lowered unemployment rate is "mostly due to favorable international conditions" and that "the Jobs Act reduced unemployment by a meager tenth of a percentage point." He also said that the Jobs Act allowed employers to start "destroying the safeguard that protected millions of workers from being fired without a valid reason" and that it gave millions of taxpayers' Euros every year to the same greedy corporations who fire workers for profit." What do you think of his remarks?

Renzi: Well, I think that my friend Landini here is quite right in saying that our nation's economic policy should favor the hard working people of Italy, but he is absolutely wrong when he says that the Jobs Act wants to accomplish the opposite. Why does he marginalize the effects of the Jobs Act, when in reality, the Act has lowered unemployment four times more than how much he said it did? Why does he dismiss the effect of the Jobs Act, when in reality, the Italian unemployment rate is currently lower than it has ever been for two and a half years? Why does Landini say that the Jobs Act is bad for Italy, when in reality, it gives mothers the maternity benefits they need and makes hiring practices easier for both employers and employees? Why does Landini say that the Jobs Act gives the money of the taxpayers away, when in reality, that money goes towards helping the unemployed Italian people through unemployment benefits? I do not understand how Landini could possibly be opposed to what the Jobs Act has done. He is misleading the people of Italy by telling them that the Jobs Act has not been good for Italy's economy and people, and it is quite unfortunate that he has his own political ambitions, rather than what is best for Italy, in mind. I implore my friend Landini to realize that the Jobs Act is good for Italy, and start telling the people of our nation the truth.

Host: Very interesting! Thank you for appearing on our show, Prime Minister!

Renzi: Thank you for inviting me! I always love to talk with the people of Italy and show them what the Renzi Administration wants to do for our nation.

_______

Next Up: Part II of the Campaign Schedule

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I don't think, I can continue this, as work is really piling on me and I only have 3 hours, to do anything here.

D:

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Hi!

As it seems that Barnes has not yet posted his schedule and Intell is unwilling to play unless he is given more time, I hope it is alright if I post the rest of my schedule Friday afternoon EST.

Sorry for taking so long!

And you're doing a great job as a moderator Cris!

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If there is someone interested to play as M5S, I'm ok with that. If not, we can let a player defeated in centre right primary to play as M5S.

Good idea. I'll have my stuff up this afternoon, sorry for the wait!

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About to post; sorry for the wait!

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Democratic Party Campaign - September 26 to October 3

September 30 - Rally in Rome



"Hello, Rome! Thank you, thank you! Thank you for taking some of your time today to come out here and listen to my message! It really makes me ecstatic to see so many bright, cheery faces out here this morning willing to hear what I have to say. It makes me joyful to know that so many of you care about Italian politics, so many of you want to know which party is the best to vote for, so many of you  have hope for a better future for Italy. I'll tell you, I have hope for a better future for Italy, more so than I ever have in the past. I know that our nation has what it takes to become the strongest, freest, and most prosperous in the world, and I know that the people of Italy are willing to join me in taking the steps necessary to make our nation greater. But, I ask you - are my opponents willing to do the same? Are the Brothers of Italy looking out for the true interests of the Italian people when they say that there is no reason to give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Italians the same rights and freedoms as the rest of us enjoy? Is the North League showing care and respect for humanity itself when it says that we should not allow refugees from totalitarian regimes into Italy who simply want to find safety, protection, and a home? Does the United Left truly care about the workers and laborers of Italy when it suggests that our economic reform bill is bad for the nation even when the bill resulted in decreased unemployment, more benefits for those trying to find work, and maternity benefits for working mothers? Are parties like the Five Star Movement and Forza Italia truly looking out for the interests of the Italian people when they fight against an electoral and government reform bill that makes Parliament more representative, creates a more stable Italian government, and provides more democratic rights and powers to the Italian people? The answer, Italy, is no! Those parties do not care for the Italian people - they do not want to show LGBT citizens the same respect they show the rest of our nation, they do not want to save the lives and dignity of helpless refugees who simply want to escape their terrorized homelands for a place where safety and democracy thrives, they do not want to allow Italians to use the benefits of the Jobs Act to help workers throughout the nation find success, and they do not want to allow the Italian people to use their democracy effectively through the reforms of the Italicum bill! Italy, do you want to live in a world in which these parties are in control, or do you want to live in a world in which the Democratic Party is caring and looking out for the Italian people. I have one last thing to say - the choice is yours. Thank you, Rome! Thank you!"

October 1 - Rally in Milan



"Thank you, Milan! Thank you for the warm welcome! Thank you! I stand here today with Jorge Bandini, a good friend of mine who I have known since my very first days at the University of Florence. I trust Jorge with my life, and ever since we've known each other, his constant support and encouragement has helped me keep on going even in the darkest of times, both politically and personally. Like many of you, Jorge works hard at his job, pays all his taxes, cares for his family, and loves the Republic. Like many of you, Jorge is a patriot who cares for his nation and has its best interests at heart, and uses kindness, love, and respect in helping those around him. Like many of you, Jorge faces challenges in his life - but unlike many of you, there is one extra challenge that Jorge must face constantly. And that challenge is society. Every day, many in society tell Jorge that he is wrong and that he is a sinner only because of who he loves. Every day, many in society tell Jorge that he should not be able to get married to the love of his life, and that he should not be able to raise children even though he would be a kind and loving parent. Every day, Jorge watches political leaders from around the nation attack him and those like him not because they have done anything wrong, but simply because of who they are. Do you think that Jorge deserves to be taunted and bullied by society even though he has done nothing to hurt anyone else? Do you think that Jorge should be thought of as a pariah just because he, like millions of other proud Italian citizens, is gay? I hope you do not. Just like you, Jorge is a hard-working, loving, caring, patriotic Italian citizen who will do anything to help his country and to help others. Jorge deserves to be able to do that without being discriminated against because of his sexual identity, and Jorge deserves to be able to marry the man who he has loved unconditionally for more than a decade and have his relationship be treated the same way that heterosexual ones are. So, Italy, will you join me and Jorge in our fight for equality? Will you join us and the millions of other LGBT Italian citizens in our journey to seek better rights? I implore you to make the right decision, Italy, and I know that you will. Thank you, Milan! Thank you, Italy! Thank you!"

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Democratic Party Campaign - September 26 to October 3

October 2 - Appearance on Porta a Porta



Host: Everyone, give a warm welcome to our special guest tonight, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi!

Renzi: Thank you, everyone! Thank you! It's great to be here tonight with everyone so we can talk about the issues that are important to our nation.

Host: Quite right. Quite right. However, many in our nation think that you are not handling the issues important to our nation correctly. For example, Giorgia Meloni of the right-wing Brothers of Italy Party has recently said that even though the people of Italy initially trusted you, "many of those people are out of work" now and "many have seen their savings eaten away by inflation and the Euro." What do you have to say in response to this?

Renzi: Well, I think that Mrs. Meloni shares some very valid concerns regarding the important issues that the people of Italy face today, but I think she is very wrong in arguing that the Renzi Administration has not worked hard in addressing those issues. How can Meloni possibly say that many of the people of Italy who trusted me are out of work now, when in reality, unemployment has dropped significantly in our nation since the Democratic Party's Job Act was passed? There are more people with work now, not less, Meloni, though I am scared to see what would happen to our nation's unemployment rate if you were put in office. How can Meloni say that inflation is eating away the savings of the Italian people, when in reality, inflation has been crushed since the day I came into office? How can Meloni attack the European Union, when in reality, it is the European Union that is courageous enough to advocate allowing refugees into our continent instead of forcing them to stay in their homelands like Meloni wants them to and suffer under totalitarian regimes. Mrs. Giorgia Meloni, if I were you, I would not be attacking the Democratic Party, because the Democratic Party has shown throughout the past Administration that its policies work. Unemployment is down, inflation is down, there are more benefits for those seeking jobs and for working mothers, the electoral system is fairer and more representative of the people's interests, and we are allowing refugees into our nation instead of letting them suffer elsewhere. Mrs. Meloni, is that what you call a failed administration? No! If anything, I would be scared to see what a Brothers of Italy Administration would look like. I would be scared to watch unemployment and inflation go back up, I would be scared to watch LGBT Italians be discriminated against for no good reason, and I would be scared to watch as thousands of refugees who simply want somewhere protected and prosperous be turned back and not allowed in the safe haven of the Republic. Mrs. Meloni, are your policies right for Italy?

Host: Well, the Brothers of Italy certainly have a new challenge on their hands now. Thank you, Prime Minister Renzi, for appearing on our show tonight! It has been a pleasure!

Renzi: Thank you, Porta a Porta, and thank you, Italy, for listening to my message! Good night!

October 3 - Rally in Genoa



"Good morning, Genoa! Thank you, thank you for inviting me to spend the day in your city today! It is great to be here! As I'm sure many of you have noticed, I have brought a few special guests with me this morning. This is the Nazari family - Abdullah, the father, Dalal, the mother, Hamid, the son, and Amina, the daughter. These four kind people have agreed to appear with me today in order to share their story and tell the people of Italy how to help those in their situation. Abdullah was born in the capital of Syria, Damascus, in early 1964. Abdullah's family had lived in Damascus for hundreds of years, and had called Syria their home for even longer. When Abdullah was twenty-two, he met the love of his life, Dalal, and they married two years later. Now, they have two children, a handsome son and a beautiful daughter, both of which also grew up in the family's Syrian home. However, a few years ago, everything that Abdullah and his family once knew was destroyed, when the Syrian government, led by Bashar al-Assad, began a bombing campaign. Much of the city was destroyed, and many of the family's friends were killed. Sensibly, Abdullah decided to move his family to the outskirts of Syria where there was less violence in order to escape the grasp of the nation's totalitarian regime and live in peace. However, as soon as they had arrived in their new home, a new threat made itself present in the area - the Islamic State. Even more brutal than the al-Assad regime, ISIS killed many of those who traveled with Abdullah's family, and Abdullah was barely able to escape with his wife and children. However, they were thankfully able to reach the coast, and boarded a refugee boat to Italy. This is how they got here. Now, Abdullah, Dalal, Hamid, and Amina are happier than they have ever been before, and they are able to lead healthy, productive lives in Italy. Abdullah has already found a way to help the Italian economy by becoming a businessman, and Dalal has become a primary school teacher after the Good School reform bill allowed her to. Now, Italy, I must ask - what do you think of the Nazari family? Are they good, innocent people who merely want to lead good lives in the Republic, or are they enemies who will harm Italy? Many of my political opponents want you to think the latter, but I encourage you to know that the former is true. Abdullah's family has done nothing to harm the people of our nation, and they are instead merely wanting to escape persecution and live in a safe, protected, and prosperous place. Should the Nazaris be allowed to stay in Italy? The choice is up to you, but I implore you to realize that the refugees coming to Italy from around the world are real people, not just names on a list. Thank you, Genoa! Thank you!"

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Three posts for this round - one for September 26 to September 29, one for September 30 to October 1, and one for October 2 to October 3.

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When does this round end?

Thanks!