Franceschini has closed strongly: there was an appeal signed by 75 parliamentarians, and (somewhat inexplicably, at least to me), left-wing film-maker Nanni Moretti came out in favour of Franceschini.

The nightmare scenario for the PD is that Bersani wins a plurality of votes, but not a majority; and that Marino becomes king-maker at the convention. This is entirely possible.

Were that to be the case, Salvatore Vassallo (principal author of the party statute) would be about as popular with the party higher-ups as George McGovern was with certain sections of the Democratic Party in the United States — but at least McGovern benefitted personally.

Happy St. Minias‘ day to those in Florence. Caught a whiff of incense out in the Cascine whilst running. Surreal.