«Do you have a brilliant idea to improve our city? Share it with us and you could see your dream come true! If the dream is to be candidates for the City Council on the League list you are the right people for the truly unique initiative of the Northern League of Prato. Is called «propose and win». Even if there is nothing to scratch, it is a «lottery particular”, which “puts a nomination is up for grabs in an important city.” With lots of regulation which can be consulted on the social pages of Matteo Salvini’s party. Which after all is not new to the introduction of the game in the dimension of political participation, see the “win Salvini” promoted at the time of the Beast.
This time the initiative concerns the municipal elections and it was the provincial section of the Prato League that launched it: the managers decided to reserve one of the thirty-two places on the list «for whoever will be able to present the best, most innovative and feasible idea, from here to April 30th.” It is the Northern League itself that talks about «real lottery, if we want, where you don’t win money and gifts or be chosen at random.” There will be a random draw if two or more ideas are deemed valid and interesting. And then the prize: «The winner, because this will be what it will be about, will be able to run on the League list, in support, like the entire center-right, of Gianni Cenni».
«It’s a way to involve people in the electoral campaign and above all to get them to talk, to open up, through social media and then, better, in person. We have heard about direct democracy for years – says the Northern League provincial secretary Daniele Spada – and some have even hypothesized of debasing democracy by drawing citizens’ representatives and their administrators by lot, while on the side of serious participation and real involvement of people there have mostly been discussions”.
There’s no running the risk of ridicule the choice of the ruling class that pertains to the parties? «Reserving one place out of 32 for those who bring a valid idea – explains Spada – does not mean all this but it is a tangible sign, in our way of seeing it, of openness, in the moment of real listening that we are giving to the city in a few days from the submission of applications. It is clear that the proposals we will evaluate must not be in contradiction with the values and proposals of the League. And it is equally clear that our program will integrate the best ideas and the overall winner will be able to apply with us. Precisely because he is included in a list of 32 people, most of whom are women, the surprise candidate, although unfamiliar with politics, will not be left alone.”
The campaign runs on social media. To participate, it is not important to delve into the idea immediately but to present it, with a comment on Facebook, a Whatsapp message or, if you prefer, an email.
