MESSINA – Now it’s official: Alessandro Russo is the 32nd city councilor. In the early afternoon of today, the replacement of the resigning Maurizio Croce was approved, who had been elected as the best losing candidate for mayor and whose place was replaced, by regulation and according to circular number 24 of 25 November 2020, by the councilor of the Democratic Party .
Doctor Laura Strano explained it in the introduction, who drafted the resolution proposed by the Prime Minister Nello Pergolizzi: “In essence, with the circular we reclaim the principle of representation. The general secretary also asked the local authorities for an opinion”. And Rossana Carrubba herself shortly after reiterated the concept: the seat goes to the list that would have had it if there had not been the rule of the best mayoral candidate among the losers.
Russo: “Always Messina’s interests at heart”
Alessandro Russo then took his place alongside the other members of the Democratic Party Felice Calabrò and Antonella Russo for the oath, shortly before the unanimous and positive vote (a formality) of his fellow councilors. “I return to the council after a suspension of just over a year and a half – began Russo – and it is with great emotion that I return on tiptoe, because there are balances in this chamber in which to fit in. We will do this by always having the interests of this city at heart and I will give my commitment, complete, total and tireless, to help work for Messina, which has many needs for the coming months and years. Politics must always be one step ahead in society, I invite the room to always have the courage to assume political responsibilities and to say no, when necessary. And I would like to say thank you, President, because beyond your political positions you have been able to interpret the role of third party in asking for compliance with the rules almost like a manual, and so also from the general secretary. This is a difficult time and the city is watching us. I also say thank you to the mayor who honors me with his presence today, it was not a necessary event and I am pleased to have him here.”
Russo: “I’m going home to the Democratic Party”
And he continued: “I have never left politics in these two years because politics is always done, we cannot abandon it if we are not in these buildings. Being outside you know many problems, the suffering of the people and the city. Proudly in this year and a half, despite the lack of a role, despite being convinced of being legally right, we have remained on the streets talking to the city and the people. I would like to say that beyond political divisions I would like to say that in councilor Alessandro Russo you will find a person who has the interests of this institution at heart which represents the city the most, because it is the first door you knock on, as citizens. I join the Democratic Party, I’m going home.”
After the usual greetings from the various parties, Mayor Federico Basile also spoke: “It seemed appropriate to be there and welcome Councilor Russo who brings together the 32 elements who are trying to put Messina back in the rooms it deserves. Beyond political and individual positions, dictated by other systems larger than us, we have a task because we have all been elected by the citizens and what should interest each of us must be the good of the city. I hope Councilor Russo’s support will always be aimed at this.
