There are no theorems, not even strategies, but only respect for a principle: “Our decisions are never made from above but are the result of continuous dialogue with our representatives and territorial groups.” The M5S vice president and Tarantino parliamentarian, Mario Turco, summarizes the position on the territories thus: «We are not interested in alliances for power. Our choices are conditioned by the themes and programs. We are not interested in occupying buildings, but in providing solutions to citizens’ problems.”
Senator, are you satisfied with Emiliano’s choices?
«President Conte came to Puglia to ask for precise and concrete signs of change and we gave Emiliano a detailed pact for legality. There have been some signs, such as the establishment of the department of the same name, but we are waiting to receive other answers. Puglia has the great opportunity to establish itself as a national model, given that the issue of crime also concerns regions governed by the centre-right. Politics must decide which side to take: there can be no good governance without respect for legality and public ethics.”
So, are you ready to return to the council?
«We don’t make it a question of seats and it’s not a question of whether or not to join the council. In Puglia many things worked well, as was the work carried out by our councilors and by councilor Rosa Barone. Today, however, it is a question of giving concrete answers to the well-known judicial matters regarding the management of contracts, conflicts of interest, appointments of managers and administrative collaborators, strengthening of the inspection and supervisory unit, hoping for the contribution of other political forces”.
But is the Apulian spring over?
«Let’s say that the climate has changed. We must not forget the good things done over the last twenty years by the progressive government in Puglia, but now a change of pace is necessary: we need renewal and a new perspective. We need to pursue continuity and renewal in a frank and transparent dialogue.”
However, someone claims that Emiliano supports Conte not so much for the requests made, but for an objective: to create a common front against the Democratic Party and put Schlein in difficulty?
«These arguments do not belong to us. Our goal is to work well at all institutional levels, protecting citizens. Faced with the accusations made by the judiciary, we did not turn our heads the other way and asked for a sign of real change.”
Even by scuppering the primaries in Bari?
«Given the judicial affair, the primaries in Bari would not have been transparent and there was the risk of a polluted vote. We have demonstrated, on several occasions, that we care about the unity of the coalition. The decision of the two candidates, Leccese and Laforgia, to support each other in the event of a run-off, demonstrates this.”
By brutally archiving Decaro’s season?
«Decaro was a good mayor, he governed the city of Bari well, but now we need to look to the future. We cannot live by reflected light and we need to build a new local political class that starts from the suburbs; from those in difficulty, strengthening internal mobility and offering greater services to businesses and universities, with attention to the “home” problem”.
Is it just a Bari issue?
«No: in Taranto the electoral pact with the citizens was betrayed. The administration did not have the courage to assume responsibility for the mandate, not respecting the program for which it had been voted by the citizens of Taranto. The city is now completely on standby, without effective solutions to the many open questions, due to political transformation and individual interests placed before those of the community.”
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