It really resembles a ‘lottery’: except that there is no money or material prizes up for grabs, but a place on the list for the municipal elections in Prato. Is called ‘Propose and win’ and it is the latest social stunt launched by the provincial section of the League of Prato (the second city in Tuscany) which is giving away a candidacy for the city council for the next elections.
The Northern League of Pratoexplains a note, has 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, between now and April 30th. A real lottery, if we want, where no money is won and gifts nor will they be drawn at random if two or more ideas are considered valid and interesting, as this will be the case the entire center-right, of Gianni Cenni“, center-right candidate in Prato.
“It’s a way to involve people in the electoral campaign and above all to make them speak, to open up, through social media and then, better, in person – explains the provincial secretary and outgoing group leader in the Municipality Daniele Spada -.
We’ve been hearing about it for years direct democracy 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. Reserving one place out of 32 for those who bring a valid idea does not mean all this but it is a tangible sign, in our view, of openness, in the moment of real listening that we are giving to the city a few days after the presentation of the 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”.
