Mastella challenges Fico: "If outsiders join the government, then I'm in."

Clemente Mastella presents the president-elect of the Campania Region with a choice. Either the leader of Noi di Centro and mayor of Benevento joins the government alongside his party's councilors and candidates, or his political loyalty to Fico—still firm—becomes negotiable.

"My loyalty to the president remains intact, but I deeply and radically disagree with the ban on the Council for councilors and candidates," Mastella wrote in a statement that sounds like an ultimatum: if the doors of the Council open to national secretaries and former ministers, then "I am the leader of Noi di Centro. I put my name and my history on the table."

The clash reveals the first crack in the newly formed "broad camp." Those who risked their lives during the election campaign—gathering support by throwing mud at them—cannot be overtaken by those "comfortably seated," thunders Mastella. It's a question of representation and democracy, not of seats.

The mayor of Benevento challenges the logic of external members of the council, pointing out that in France, MPs and ministers are not the same, but elected MPs can still serve in government, while in Puglia, the regional statute requires that eight out of ten councilors be chosen from among the councilors. "The rules should be established before kick-off, not after," he warns.

"Respect the role of the parties," Mastella asks Fico. "The most effective method is always the collegial one."