{{short description|Italian politician (born 1985)}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{use British English|date=July 2024}} {{use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = Elly Schlein in 2023 (cropped).jpg | caption = Schlein in 2023 | office = Secretary of the Democratic Party | term_start = 12 March 2023 | term_end = | predecessor = Enrico Letta | successor = | office1 = Member of the Chamber of Deputies | term_start1 = 13 October 2022 | term_end1 = | constituency1 = Emilia-Romagna – 02 | office2 = Vice-President of Emilia-Romagna | term_start2 = 28 February 2020 | term_end2 = 24 October 2022 | president2 = Stefano Bonaccini | predecessor2 = Raffaele Donini | successor2 = Irene Priolo | office3 = Member of the European Parliament | term_start3 = 1 July 2014 | term_end3 = 2 July 2019 | constituency3 = North-East Italy | birth_name = Elena Ethel Schlein | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1985|05|04}} | birth_place = Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland | death_date = | death_place = | party = PD (2013–2015; since 2022) | other_party = {{ubl|Possibile (2015–2019)|Coraggiosa (2019–2020)|Green Italia (2020–2022)}} | citizenship = {{hlist|Italy|Switzerland|United States}} | alma_mater = University of Bologna | occupation = | partner = Paola Belloni }}
'''Elena Ethel''' "'''Elly'''" '''Schlein''' ({{IPA|it|ˈɛlli ʃˈlain|lang}}; born 4 May 1985) is an Italian politician who has been serving as the secretary of the Democratic Party (PD) since 12 March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/pd-schlein-unita-rilancio-assemblea-12-marzo_61632959-202302k.shtml|title=Pd, Schlein: "Lavoro per la massima unità e per il rilancio del partito, l'assemblea il 12 marzo"|date=27 February 2023|website=TGcom24}}</ref> She is a member of Italy's Chamber of Deputies and was previously the vice president of Emilia-Romagna and a member of the European Parliament. On 26 February 2023, she was elected as the new PD secretary with 54% of the vote, becoming the first woman to lead the party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2023 |title=Chi è Elly Schlein, la nuova segretaria del PD |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2023/02/26/elly-schlein-nuova-segretaria-pd/ |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=Il Post |language=it-IT}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Elena Ethel Schlein was born on 4 May 1985 in Lugano, Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elly Schlein - Biografia |url=https://www.ellyschlein.it/biografia |website=ellyschlein.it |publisher=ellyschlein.it |access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2023 |title=Differenze e convergenze. Il confronto tra i sostenitori di Bonaccini e Schlein |url=https://www.newsrimini.it/2023/02/differenze-e-convergenze-il-confronto-tra-i-sostenitori-di-bonaccini-e-schlein/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=newsrimini |language=it}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Cazzullo |first=Aldo |date=18 February 2023 |title=Elly Schlein: O il Pd cambia o è finita. Io non ho nulla da perdere e per questo vincerò |url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/23_febbraio_18/elly-schlein-o-pd-cambia-o-finita-io-non-ho-nulla-perdere-questo-vincero-6d2d0de2-aefa-11ed-b1a1-f70141d8ba43.shtml |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it-IT}}</ref> She has a sister, Susanna, who is a diplomat by profession and a brother, Benjamin, who is a mathematician.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://corrieredibologna.corriere.it/notizie/politica/23_febbraio_28/elly-schlein-la-famiglia-i-genitori-prof-universitari-la-sorella-diplomatica-il-fratello-fisico-f66950a1-5da1-4722-9317-9f91d9f68xlk.shtml|journal=Il Corriere di Bologna|language=it|title=Elly Schlein's family: university professor parents, diplomat sister, physicist brother}}</ref> Her father, Melvin Schlein, is an American academic and political scientist of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sbaffi |first=Giulia |date=12 February 2020 |title=Sapevi che Elly Schlein ha frequentato il DAMS? Tutto sulla giovane politica |url=https://www.donnaglamour.it/chi-e-elly-schlein/curiosita/ |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=Donna Glamour |language=it-IT}}</ref> Originally, her paternal grandfather's surname was ''Schleyen''; after arriving at Ellis Island, he changed it to ''Schlein''.<ref name=":1" /> Her paternal ancestors were from Zhovkva, now located in Ukraine, and her paternal grandmother, from whom she takes the middle name ''Ethel'', was of Lithuanian origin.<ref name=":1" />
Schlein's Italian mother, Maria Paola Viviani, is a professor of comparative public law at the University of Insubria.<ref name=":2" /> Her maternal grandfather was the Italian Socialist Party politician {{ill|Agostino Viviani|it}}, senator from 1972 to 1979 and a member of the High Council of the Judiciary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salati |first=Di Alexia |date=4 February 2020 |title=Il dubbio: Agostino Viviani, l'avvocato che sfidò le toghe. E perse… – Elly Schlein |url=https://www.ellyschlein.it/il-dubbio-agostino-viviani-lavvocato-che-sfido-le-toghe-e-perse |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=Elly Schlein |language=it-IT}}</ref> Later in life, Schlein moved to Bologna.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sciorilli Borrelli |first=Silvia |date=13 February 2020 |title=Meet the Italian left's rising star |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/meet-the-italian-left-rising-star-elly-schlein-pd/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Politico |language=en-US}}</ref> She graduated in law at the University of Bologna in 2011, discussing a thesis on constitutional law.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Civati |first=Giuseppe |date=17 May 2014 |title=L'isola di Elly |url=https://www.ciwati.it/2014/05/17/lisola-di-elly/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Ciwati |language=it}}</ref> Schlein holds American, Italian and Swiss citizenships.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pizzimenti |first1=Chiara |title=Elly Schlein, la famiglia della nuova segretaria del Pd |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/article/elly-schlein-famiglia-nuova-segretaria-pd |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=Vanity Fair Italia |date=27 February 2023 |language=it-IT}}</ref>
== Political career == === Early beginnings, 2008–2013 === In 2008 and 2012, Schlein volunteered on Barack Obama's two presidential campaigns in the United States.<ref name=":0" /> In 2011, she was one of the founders of the association of university students known as Progrè, an association that dealt with deepening and sensitising public opinion on issues related to migration policies and the prison reality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2012 |title=Chi siamo |url=http://www.progre.eu/chi-siamo-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529052811/http://www.progre.eu/chi-siamo-2/ |archive-date=29 May 2014 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=progre |language=it}}</ref>
In April 2013, Romano Prodi, former Prime Minister of Italy and president of the Democratic Party (PD), received in support 100 votes less than expected from the centre-left coalition and withdrew from the 2013 Italian presidential election. In response, Schlein gave life to the mobilisation campaign known as #OccupyPD, which criticised those behind Prodi's loss and opposed the formation of a grand coalition government, the Letta Cabinet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=#Occupypd, sedi di partito occupate dai giovani del Pd |url=http://www.corriere.it/politica/speciali/foto/2013/elezioni-presidente-repubblica/occupypd/occupypd-sedi-partito-occupate-giovani-pd_4c77e6b4-a85f-11e2-96ed-0ed8c4083cbe.shtml |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it}}</ref> In the 2013 PD leadership election on 8 December, Schlein gave her support to Giuseppe Civati, who ranked third.<ref>{{cite news |title=Elly Schlein, Civati segretario per il cambiamento: 'Il PD ha sbagliato tutto dopo le primarie' |trans-title=Elly Schlein, Civati secretary for change: 'The PD got it all wrong after the primaries' |language=it |url=https://www.bolognatoday.it/politica/elly-schlein-civati-primarie-pd.html |work=BolognaToday |date=3 December 2013 }}</ref>
=== Member of the European Parliament, 2014–2019 === [[File:Elly Schlein-Manifestazione contro il JA del 25.10.2014 a Roma.jpg|thumb|Schlein at the demonstration against the Jobs Act on 25 October 2014 in Rome]] In February 2014, Schlein ran with the PD for a seat at the European Parliament in the North-Eastern constituency. In the 2014 European Parliament election in Italy, she was elected to the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|work=L'Espresso|url=http://espresso.repubblica.it/palazzo/2014/05/22/news/europee-parla-la-civatiana-elly-schlein-vince-il-pd-ma-serve-riflessione-sul-governo-1.166533|title=Europee, parla la civatiana Elly Schlein: "Vince il Pd, ma serve riflessione sul governo"|date=22 May 2014|accessdate=13 April 2019}}</ref> She served on the European Parliament Committee on Development.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Elly Schlein |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/124804/ELLY_SCHLEIN/history/8 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=European Parliament|date=4 May 1985 }}</ref> In addition to her committee assignments, she was part of the parliament's delegation to the European Union–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee.<ref name=":3" />
In May 2015, Schlein announced through a post on Facebook that she was leaving the PD, being in deep disagreement with the new political line of the party imposed by the party secretary and Italy's prime minister Matteo Renzi, and joined Possible, the party founded by Civati.<ref>{{cite web |last=Capelli |first=Eleonora |date=9 May 2015 |title=Elly Schlein: "Volevo riportare Prodi nel Pd ma ora non sopporto più le troppe scelte di destra" |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2015/05/09/news/elly_schlein_volevo_riportare_prodi_nel_pd_ma_ora_non_sopporto_piu_le_troppe_scelte_di_destra_-113944631/ |accessdate=13 April 2019 |work=La Repubblica}}</ref> In April 2019, Schlein announced her intention not to run in the 2019 European Parliament election in Italy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Testa |first=Tiziana |date=12 April 2019 |title=Schlein: "Europarlamento addio, ecco perchè non mi ricandido" |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/04/12/news/elly_schlein_sinistra_centrosinistra_pd_partito_democratico-223845204/ |accessdate=13 April 2019 |work=La Repubblica}}</ref>
=== Vice-president of Emilia-Romagna, 2020–2022 === In the 2020 Emilia-Romagna regional election on 26 January, Schlein ran as a candidate for member of the regional council of Emilia-Romagna as part of a left-wing electoral alliance called Emilia-Romagna Courageous Ecologist and Progressive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fornasini |first=Elisa |date=27 December 2019 |title=Regionali, maratona per il deposito delle liste |url=https://www.estense.com/?p=827568,%20https://www.estense.com/?p=827568 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=estense |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2019 |title=Inaugurato il comitato di 'Emilia Romagna Coraggiosa': "Al centro ambiente e lavoro" |url=https://www.ravennatoday.it/politica/inaugurato-il-comitato-di-emilia-romagna-coraggiosa-al-centro-ambiente-e-lavoro.html |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=RavennaToday |language=it}}</ref> She was elected with over 22,000 votes, the highest vote tally for a councillor in regional history, and was subsequently appointed by Stefano Bonaccini as his vice-president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laino |first=Gianmichele |date=27 January 2020 |title=Elly Schlein è la candidata più votata nella storia delle elezioni in Emilia-Romagna |url=https://www.giornalettismo.com/elly-schlein-candidata-piu-votata-emilia-romagna/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Giornalettismo |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gagliardi |first=Andrea |date=29 January 2020 |title=Elly Schlein, l'outsider di sinistra più votata in Emilia Romagna |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/elly-schlein-l-outsider-piu-votata-emilia-romagna-ACzmLDFB |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Il Sole 24 ORE |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2020 |title=Emilia-Romagna, la nuova vicepresidente della Regione è Elly Schlein |url=https://bologna.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/02/11/news/emilia-romagna_la_nuova_vicepresidente_della_regione_e_elly_schlein-248323680/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}</ref> In February 2020, the PD's secretary Nicola Zingaretti offered Schlein the party presidency spot left vacant by Paolo Gentiloni.<ref name=":0" />
=== 2022 general election and Democratic Party leadership run === [[File:P060696-746027.jpg|thumb|Schlein and Paolo Gentiloni on 23 March 2023]] In the general election held on 26 September 2022, Schlein was elected to the country's Chamber of Deputies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2022 |title=Parlamentari eletti alle politiche in Emilia Romagna: chi sono |url=https://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/emilia-romagna/parlamentari-eletti-1.8120326 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=il Resto del Carlino |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=XIX Legislatura - Deputati e Organi - Scheda deputato - SCHLEIN Elly |url=https://www.camera.it/leg19/29?tipoAttivita=&tipoVisAtt=&tipoPersona=&shadow_deputato=308930&idLegislatura=19 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Camera dei deputati |language=it}}</ref> A few weeks later, following Letta's resignation as leader of the PD, Schlein announced her run for the 2023 PD leadership election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2022 |title=Elly Schlein ha fatto capire che vuole candidarsi alla segreteria del PD |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2022/11/11/elly-schlein-candidatura-segreteria-pd/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Il Post |language=it-IT}}</ref> In an upset,<ref>{{cite news |last=Balmer |first=Crispian |date=27 February 2023 |title=In surprise result, Italy's left picks Elly Schlein to rebuild party |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/surprise-result-italys-left-picks-elly-schlein-rebuild-party-2023-02-27/ |access-date=27 February 2023}}</ref> for the first time in the party's leadership elections, Schlein overcame the second place of the closed primary,<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2023 |title=Stefano Bonaccini ed Elly Schlein sono i due candidati alla segreteria del PD |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2023/02/20/bonaccini-schlein-candidati-segreteria-partito-democratico/ |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=Il Post |language=it-IT}}</ref> by winning the open primary on 26 February 2023, when she was successfully elected ahead of Stefano Bonaccini.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nova |first=Redazione Agenzia |date=26 February 2023 |title=Elly Schlein è la nuova segretaria del Partito democratico |url=https://www.agenzianova.com/news/elly-schlein-e-la-nuova-segretaria-del-partito-democratico/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Agenzia Nova |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2023 |title=Chi è Elly Schlein, la nuova segretaria del PD |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2023/02/26/elly-schlein-nuova-segretaria-pd/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Il Post |language=it-IT}}</ref>
In doing so, Schlein became the PD's first female, as well as the youngest person,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chi è Elly Schlein, la nuova segretaria del Pd e prima donna a guidare il partito |url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/chi-e-elly-schlein-la-nuova-segretaria-del-pd-e-prima-donna-a-guidare-il-partito/ |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=Fanpage |date=27 February 2023 |language=it}}</ref> to be elected leader of the PD since the formation of the party in 2007. She is also the first publicly-declared LGBTQ secretary of the Italian centre-left leading party. During her rise in the party, she has been compared to American congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Giuffrida |first=Angela |date=27 February 2023 |title=Elly Schlein voted leader of Italy's most important leftwing party in surprise win |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/27/elly-schlein-voted-leader-of-italy-democratic-party-surprise-win |access-date=27 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> She succeeded Letta on 12 March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2023 |title=Pd, Bonaccini eletto presidente. Schlein: 'Basta liti interne' |url=https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2023/03/12/pd-assemblea-schlein |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=tg24.sky.it |language=it}}</ref> On 18 April 2023, Schlein expressed her personal opinion in favour of surrogacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www-fanpage-it.translate.goog/politica/maternita-surrogata-schlein-si-dice-a-favore-della-gestazione-per-altri-aperta-a-confronto-nel-pd/?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=wapp|title=Surrogate motherhood, Schlein says she is in favour of gestation for others: "Open for comparison in the Democratic Party"|date=19 April 2023|publisher=Fanpage|language=It|access-date=20 April 2023|archive-date=25 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425071307/https://www-fanpage-it.translate.goog/politica/maternita-surrogata-schlein-si-dice-a-favore-della-gestazione-per-altri-aperta-a-confronto-nel-pd/?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=wapp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== 2024 European Parliament Elections === In the 2024 European Parliament election in Italy, the PD received 24.1% of the votes, second to FdI.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-06-10 |title=European Championships: Meloni and Schlein rejoice, disappointment for Conte. Forza Italia surpasses the League |url=https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Europeans-Meloni-and-Schlein-rejoice-in-Conte%27s-disappointment-as-Forza-Italia-tops-the-league/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Agenzia Nova}}</ref>
===Foreign policy=== ====Israel==== Schlein, who is of Jewish descent,<ref>{{cite news |title=Papà Schlein imbarazza la figlia Elly: "Col mitra sotto il letto, non sono d’accordo con lei" |url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/personaggi/37513087/melvin-schlein-figlia-elly-mitra-letto-non-d-accordo/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=liberoquotidiano.it |publisher=liberoquotidiano.it |date=12 November 2023}}</ref> has taken an anti-Zionist position against the state of Israel, supporting the pro-Palestinian movement,<ref>{{cite news |title=Schlein condanna lo Stato ebraico. "Basta armi a Israele, fa crimini di guerra" |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/schlein-condanna-stato-ebraico-basta-armi-israele-fa-crimini-2270929.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=ilgiornale.it |publisher=ilgiornale.it |date=20 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Manifestazione per Gaza, organizzatori: “300mila in piazza”. Schlein: Italia che non tace |url=https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2025/06/07/manifestazione-gaza-roma |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=tg24.sky.it |publisher=tg24.sky.it |date=7 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hannoun, altro che solo "simpatizzante". L'amico di Pd e M5S al fianco dei capi di Hamas |url=https://www.iltempo.it/politica/2025/08/24/news/hannoun-altro-che-simpatizzante-amico-pd-m5s-capi-hamas-hijazi-43843862/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=iltempo.it |publisher=iltempo.it |date=24 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pd, M5S e Avs tacciono ancora sui legami con Hamas e non prendono le distanze da chi elogia il 7 ottobre |url=https://www.iltempo.it/politica/2025/09/09/news/attentato-gerusalemme-hammas-pd-m5s-e-avs-tacciono-ancora-legami-regime-gaza-44034129/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=iltempo.it/ |publisher=iltempo.it/ |date=9 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hannoun minaccia Il Tempo: "Nazifascisti, uniti contro di loro" |url=https://www.iltempo.it/politica/2025/09/17/video/mohammad-hannoun-minaccia-il-tempo-nazifascisti-palestina-44139359/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=iltempo.it |publisher=iltempo.it |date=17 September 2025}}</ref> as well as the two-state solution. During the 12-Day War, she strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Iran.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guerra Iran-Israele: Schlein con gli ayatollah, a questo è arrivato il Partito democratico, una deriva orribile |url=https://www.ilriformista.it/guerra-iran-israele-schlein-con-gli-ayatollah-a-questo-e-arrivato-il-pd-470823/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=ilriformista.it/ |publisher=ilriformista.it/ |date=13 June 2025}}</ref> In September 2025, Schlein gave her support to the Global Sumud Flotilla, along with other left-wing Italian leaders such as Angelo Bonelli and Nicola Fratoianni, and urged the Italian government to impose sanctions against Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Meloni-Schlein, duello nelle Marche su odio e salario |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2025/09/17/meloni-litalia-non-puo-condividere-la-scelta-di-occupare-gaza.-io-la-piu-odiata_1a2f1342-7d1e-4d3d-850f-1265ea0d1b2c.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=ansa.it |publisher=ansa.it |date=17 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Schlein a Meloni: «Vi batteremo, non ve lo faremo più il favore di dividerci». E si collega con la Flotilla |url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/politica/schlein_meloni_cosa_ha_detto_festa_unita_flotilla_ultime_notizie-9067692.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=ilmessaggero.it/ |publisher=ilmessaggero.it/ |date=14 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Schlein “L’occupazione di Gaza va fermata, l’Italia non sia complice” |url=https://www.lanuovasardegna.it/speciale/2025/09/16/news/schlein-l-occupazione-di-gaza-va-fermata-l-italia-non-sia-complice-1.100761635 |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=lanuovasardegna.it |publisher=lanuovasardegna.it |date=16 September 2025}}</ref> Furthermore, dissatisfied with the Italian government's positions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Schlein urged Italian municipalities to apply sanctions and carry out boycotts against Israel and members of the Israeli government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schlein, su sanzioni ai Comuni fanno ciò che non fa il governo |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2025/09/18/schlein-su-sanzioni-ai-comuni-fanno-cio-che-non-fa-il-governo_457c52e0-c29d-4cf0-8cad-5dfe4ee7da7e.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=ansa.it |publisher=ansa.it |date=18 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Towns doing what govt won't on Israel sanctions - Schlein |url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2025/09/18/towns-doing-what-govt-wont-on-israel-sanctions-schlein_cccdf2d7-4dc8-4788-916a-3adc2f29b595.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |agency=ansa.it |publisher=ansa.it |date=18 September 2025}}</ref> Schlein has repeatedly called the Israeli government led by Netanyahu criminal,<ref>{{cite news |title=Israele, sì al piano su Gaza. Schlein: "Disegno criminale, Netanyahu va fermato" |url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/esteri/42502549/israele-piano-espandere-attacco-gaza-schlein-fuori-controllo/ |access-date=22 September 2025 |agency=liberoquotidiano.it |publisher=liberoquotidiano.it |date=5 May 2025}}</ref> and continued to pressure the Italian government to recognize the state of Palestine as soon as possible.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schlein su Gaza: "Riconoscere la Palestina per fermare i crimini del governo Netanyahu" |url=https://www.lastampa.it/politica/2025/07/27/video/schlein_su_gaza_riconoscere_la_palestina_per_fermare_i_crimini_del_governo_netanyahu-15248877/ |access-date=22 September 2025 |agency=lastampa.it |publisher=lastampa.it |date=27 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Schlein, Meloni confeziona spot sulla Rai ma non spiega su Gaza |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2025/09/21/schlein-meloni-confeziona-spot-sulla-rai-ma-non-spiega-su-gaza_bae8d5dc-2bb5-463b-acf9-d2bd5cf31fbb.html |access-date=22 September 2025 |agency=ansa.it |publisher=ansa.it |date=21 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Scioperi e proteste, Schlein minaccia. E il Campidoglio alza il vessillo palestinese |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/scioperi-e-proteste-schlein-minaccia-e-campidoglio-alza-2539404.html |access-date=22 September 2025 |agency=ilgiornale.it |publisher=ilgiornale.it |date=20 September 2025}}</ref>
====Iran==== In January 2025, Schlein expressed support for Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in a remote meeting. Schlein also pledged her support for the Iranian people's struggle against the Islamic regime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran, incontro da remoto Mohammadi-Schlein |url=https://www.ellyschlein.it/iran-incontro-da-remoto-mohammadi-schlein |website=ellyschlein.it |publisher=ellyschlein.it |access-date=11 January 2026}}</ref> Schlein condemned Israel for attacking Iran.<ref>{{cite news |title=Elly Schlein, carezza all'Iran e sparate contro Meloni: "Chi sono i veri responsabili" |url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/politica/43120003/elly-schlein-camera-carezza-iran-sparate-contro-giorgia-meloni-chi-veri-responsabili/ |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=liberoquotidiano.it/ |publisher=liberoquotidiano.it/ |date=23 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Iran: Schlein a Meloni, 'non si schiacci su Trump e assuma iniziativa contro escalation' |url=https://www.iltirreno.it/ultimora-adnkronos/2025/06/13/news/iran-schlein-a-meloni-non-si-schiacci-su-trump-e-assuma-iniziativa-contro-escalation-1.100721196 |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=iltirreno.it |publisher=iltirreno.it |date=13 June 2025}}</ref> During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, Schlein expressed support for the Iranian protesters fighting for the abolition of Iranian theocracy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran: Schlein, 'Ue agisca subito, serve azione diplomatica forte' |url=https://www.lanuovasardegna.it/ultimora-adnkronos/2026/01/11/news/iran-schlein-ue-agisca-subito-serve-azione-diplomatica-forte-1.100815952 |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=lanuovasardegna.it |publisher=lanuovasardegna.it |date=11 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Iran, anche Schlein scarica il regime: "Sosteniamo le proteste del popolo" |url=https://www.iltempo.it/politica/2026/01/11/news/iran-anche-schlein-scarica-il-regime-sosteniamo-le-proteste-del-popolo--45797143/ |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=iltempo.it/ |publisher=iltempo.it/ |date=11 January 2026}}</ref>
====Venezuela==== Schlein condemned the use of military force in Venezuela by the United States during the 2026 United States intervention in Venezuela; in particular, she expressed strong condemnation for the violation of international law.<ref>{{cite news |title=Meloni: "Intervento Usa in Venezuela legittimo". Schlein: "Trump vìola diritto internazionale" |url=https://www.agi.it/politica/news/2026-01-03/venezuela-meloni-legittima--azione-trump-schlein-critica-34920012/ |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=agi.it |publisher=agi.it |date=3 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuela, il Pd si schiera con Maduro: “Non si esporta la democrazia con le bombe” |url=https://www.iltempo.it/politica/2026/01/03/news/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-partito-democratico-democrazia-bombe-diritto-internazionale-45677117/ |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=iltempo.it |publisher=iltempo.it |date=3 January 2026}}</ref> Previously, Schlein had expressed her support for the Italians detained without cause in Venezuelan prisons.<ref>{{cite news |title=La prigionia di Alberto Trentini in Venezuela, la madre: "Meloni si attivi, basta silenzio" |url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2025/07/la-prigionia-di-alberto-trentini-in-venezuela-la-madre-meloni-si-attivi-basta-silenzio-3c506948-de51-4c0a-90fa-ea0cae6d46ff.html |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=rainews.it |publisher=rainews.it |date=15 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Caso Trentini, Schlein tutta appelli e propaganda. Fidanza le rinfresca la memoria: oggi si risveglia, ma fino a ieri taceva su Maduro e detenuti italiani nelle caienne (video) |url=https://www.secoloditalia.it/2025/07/caso-trentini-schlein-tutta-appelli-e-propaganda-fidanza-le-rinfresca-la-memoria-oggi-si-risveglia-ma-fino-a-ieri-taceva-su-maduro-e-detenuti-italiani-nelle-caienne-video/ |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=secoloditalia.it |publisher=secoloditalia.it |date=16 July 2025}}</ref>
====Ukraine==== Schlein supports Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian war, including through the contribution of weapons and financial aid sent by Europe.<ref>{{cite news |title=Direzione Pd, Schlein: "Supporto a Ucraina, anche con aiuti militari". E agli oppositori interni: "Bene le critiche ma serve lealtà" |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2023/06/19/diretta/pd_direzione_nazionale_alleanze_gestazione_altri_abuso_ufficio_armi_ucraina-405037481/ |access-date=11 January 2026 |agency=repubblica.it |publisher=repubblica.it |date=19 June 2023}}</ref>
== Personal life == In February 2020, Schlein came out as bisexual.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zincone |first=Vittorio |date=21 February 2020 |title=Elly Schlein, amori bisex e la politica per caso: «Ma io sognavo il cinema» |url=https://www.corriere.it/sette/politica/20_febbraio_21/elly-schlein-amori-bisex-politica-caso-ma-io-sognavo-cinema-ae91de02-508e-11ea-a691-847c284ba0e7.shtml |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2020 |title=Il coming out di Elly Schlein è perfetto perché non esiste un coming out perfetto |url=https://www.gaypost.it/coming-out-elly-schlein-perfetto |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=Gaypost.it |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Elly Schlein, una donna queer candidata alla segreteria PD - Gay.it |language=it-IT |work=Gay.it |url=https://www.gay.it/elly-schlein-donna-queer-candidata-alla-segreteria-pd |access-date=27 February 2023}}</ref> Her partner is Cagliari-born Paola Belloni.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ciusa |first=Maria Luisa Porcella |date=2023-04-05 |title=Paola Belloni, compagna cagliaritana di Elly Schlein si sfoga contro le foto rubate della sua quotidianità |url=https://www.vistanet.it/cagliari/2023/04/05/paola-belloni-compagna-cagliaritana-di-elly-schlein-si-sfoga-contro-le-foto-rubate-della-sua-quotidianita/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=cagliari.vistanet.it |language=it-IT}}</ref> Schlein describes herself as a feminist and a progressive.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2023 |title=Elly Schlein è la prima donna alla guida del Pd: "Bisessuale, femminista e progressista" - Luce |url=https://luce.lanazione.it/politica/primarie-elly-schlein-prima-donna-segretaria-pd-fluida/ |access-date=27 February 2023 |language=it-IT}}</ref> In December 2022, arsonists destroyed a car used by her sister, diplomat Susanna Schlein serving in Athens, prompting Italy's incumbent prime minister Giorgia Meloni to express her "profound concern".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stamouli |first=Nektaria |date=2 December 2022 |title=Italian diplomat's car torched in Athens |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/arsonists-destroy-italian-diplomats-car-in-athens/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Politico |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{cite book |last1=Schlein |first1=Elly |chapter=L'Europa tra riforma della Convenzione di Dublino, muri e migration compact |trans-chapter=Europe between the reform of the Dublin Convention, walls and migration compact |language=it |pages=111–118 |chapter-url=http://digital.casalini.it/4334660 |editor1-last=Calabrò |editor1-first=Anna Rita |title=Quaderni del Master in 'Immigrazione, Genere, Modelli Familiari e Strategie di Integrazione' n. 4: Strategie per un mondo nuovo: prospettive di gestione dei flussi migratori provenienti dall'Africa |date=2018 |publisher=Ledizioni |isbn=978-88-6705-893-8 }} * {{cite journal |last1=Schlein |first1=Elly |title=Migration is not an emergency |journal=Great Insights |volume=7 |issue=1 |date=Winter 2018 |pages=18–19 |url=https://ecdpm.org/wp-content/uploads/Great_Insights_vol_7_issue_1_Migration.pdf#page=18 |access-date=26 September 2022 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120105712/https://ecdpm.org/wp-content/uploads/Great_Insights_vol_7_issue_1_Migration.pdf#page=18 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite news |last1=Sciorilli Borrelli |first1=Silvia |title=Meet the Italian left's rising star |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/meet-the-italian-left-rising-star-elly-schlein-pd/ |work=Politico |date=13 February 2020|access-date=27 February 2023 }}
== External links == * [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/it/124804/ELLY_SCHLEIN/home Files about her parliamentary activities in the European Parliament] (in Italian) VIII legislature
{{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Enrico Letta}} {{s-ttl|title=Secretary of the Democratic Party|years=2023–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}} {{Democratic Party (Italy) leaders|state=collapsed}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schlein, Elly}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:LGBTQ legislators in Italy Category:Bisexual women politicians Category:Bisexual Jews Category:Italian bisexual women Category:Italian bisexual politicians Category:People from Lugano Category:Democratic Party (Italy) politicians Category:Possible (political party) politicians Category:21st-century Italian women politicians Category:University of Bologna alumni Category:Deputies of Legislature XIX of Italy Category:Italian Ashkenazi Jews Category:Jewish women politicians Category:MEPs for Italy 2014–2019 Category:Democratic Party (Italy) MEPs Category:Italian people of Jewish descent Category:Italian people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent Category:Italian people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent Category:Swiss people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent Category:Swiss people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent Category:Swiss people of Italian descent Category:American people of Italian descent Category:American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent Category:American people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent Category:Swiss emigrants to Italy Category:21st-century Italian LGBTQ people Category:Leaders of political parties in Italy Category:Jewish LGBTQ women