Calenda chiexplains the Einaudi Foundation: he will run with us in the elections.

Carlo Calenda has positioned the Luigi Einaudi Foundation within his political coalition, stating it will run alongside his party during upcoming elections. The foundation, which operates as a third-sector entity, has been granted a substantial public funding boost through legislative amendments proposed by Azione, amounting to 1.2 million euros over two years. This financial support was secured via two specific articles in the budget law, both stemming from amendments signed by Senator Marco Lombardo, a member of Calenda’s faction. The funding includes 300,000 euros annually for the Southeast Europe Observatory, based at the foundation in Rome, to conduct research and promote cultural initiatives related to European expansion and defense of European values, as well as establish schools of liberalism in Balkan republics. Additionally, another 600,000 euros over two years is allocated to the "Paper, Pen & Digital" Observatory, focusing on the value of reading physical books and handwritten writing, alongside the impact of digital technologies on young learners' cognitive processes and learning. These contributions represent a significant increase, with the 600,000 euros annually accounting for more than 40% of the foundation's declared income for 2025, which totaled 1,433,774 euros. Public funding for the foundation last year reached 250,000 euros from the National Research Council (CNR). Despite its designation as a cultural institution, the foundation maintains close ties with political circles. Since 2022, Andrea Cangini, former editor-in-chief of Il Quotidiano Nazionale and a former senator for Forza Italia and Azione, has served as the foundation’s general secretary. The board of directors includes Andrea Marcucci, a former senator under Matteo Renzi’s government from the Democratic Party, and Gippy Rubinetti, chief of staff to Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio. Nordio previously sat on the board until his appointment to the government, as does current Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. The scientific committee features Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, a former foreign minister in the Monti government and currently a senator for Brothers of Italy. The foundation played a central role in promoting the "Yes" campaign during the constitutional reform referendum on judicial reforms, leading the initiative known as SìSepara, with the lawyer Giuseppe Benedetto at its helm. Benedetto confirmed in an interview with Il Quotidiano Nazionale that the foundation’s mission will be to enable a group of liberals to have a presence in Parliament, explaining he had reluctantly stepped back from personal candidacy to send a message of seriousness. The strategic alignment of the foundation with Calenda’s political agenda underscores the broader trend of integrating non-political entities into electoral strategies, leveraging their influence and resources to bolster political campaigns. This move reflects a growing pattern of collaboration between political parties and think tanks, using public funds to enhance visibility and credibility. The foundation’s dual role as both a research institution and a political actor highlights the blurred lines between civic engagement and electoral politics in contemporary Italian governance. As the election approaches, the integration of such entities into the political landscape could significantly shape the discourse and outcomes of the upcoming vote.