A “lottery” with no material prizes or money up for grabs. But a place on the list for the municipal elections in Prato on 8-9 June. This is the proposal launched by the provincial section of the Prato League. The competition is called «Propose and win»: the managers have decided to reserve one of the 32 places on the list «for whoever can present the best, most innovative and feasible idea, between now and April 30th via private message on Whatsapp or email» , we read on the Facebook post of the Prato League – Salvini Premier. «A real lottery» where you will not be drawn at random unless two or more ideas are deemed valid, interesting and potentially useful to the community. «The winner will be able to run on the League list, in support, like the entire center-right, of Gianni Cenni», the center-right candidate in Prato. «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 al Corriere Fiorentino – 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 been mostly discussions».
The rationale of the initiative
For Spada, reserving one place out of 32 for those who bring a winning idea «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 candidatures. 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 – she concludes – 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.”
