That image of the police helping to close to the public a public square rented for an evening by two Indian billionaires and their illustrious guests represents a turning point in the management of common goods.
The pre-wedding party of the scions of two super-rich families, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, organized in Portofino with a concert by Andrea Bocelli and a crowd of VIPs from all over the world, causes discussion.
Massimo Maugeri, a leading exponent of Legambiente Liguria and above all a long-standing member of the Portofino Park Community, attacks the choice of the mayor of the village Matteo Viacava: “What has happened in recent days with the privatization of the square for the “Indian wedding” is unacceptable and it is a bad precedent for the country. The square is the agora par excellence and the center of the polis both from an economic and social point of view. Even temporary privatization for a private event is a bad precedent. When the administration temporarily sells public space, depriving access to the citizen who is its true owner, we have reduced democracy.”
Mayor Viacava had announced the event on social media by writing a post: “After careful evaluation, Mayor Matteo Viacava together with the council, has decided to enthusiastically welcome the proposal presented by the organizers of this unique event…. From 5pm onwards, access to Portofino will be guaranteed only to those entitled”. A post on Facebook which was greeted by many comments critical of the mayor.
According to Maugeri: “The problem is not just the ban on access for those who have a boat, house or home, the problem is the temporary expropriation of public space for private purposes. If the mayor of Rome did this for Piazza Navona, what would happen? This is why it is a bad precedent which, in a moment of discouragement regarding the values of politics and those who practice it, fuels the division of society. What happened reminds us of Alberto Sordi in “Marchese del Grillo”, I am me and you are nothing. Not only are you nothing but we can do whatever we want. Everything is allowed for those who have money with the complacency of power. We threw the “celebration” for democracy.”
