«The referendum is an uncertain path, because it could be declared inadmissible and, in any case, we probably wouldn’t go to vote before June 2026. Appealing to the Constitutional Court of one or more Regions is more practicable». Words from Massimo Villone, the constitutionalist who taught at Federico II University and who has long expressed strong criticism of the Calderoli bill on differentiated autonomy. Yesterday in Naples he participated in the protest convened in front of the Prefecture in conjunction with the discussion of the law in the Chamber and tried to imagine, taking it for granted that the bill will be approved shortly, the strategy for continuing the battle. «It is sufficient – Villone recalled – that the appeal to the Consultation is presented even by just one Region. Of course, it would be better if there were more. However, it is also necessary for public opinion, which is largely opposed to differentiated autonomy, to exert adequate pressure on the institutions to make them move. If the sovereign people don’t make themselves heard, we won’t go far.”
Given this, yesterday in Naples the participation in the demonstration called by the Committees for the withdrawal of all differentiated autonomy and by the No Ad Table was numerically not exciting. About a hundred people were present, the average age was quite high, and no kids. There were the Cobas Scuola, the CGIL and the Uil (“we are working hard in the north to convince citizens that differentiated autonomy is not just a southern problem”, said the Campania secretary of the latter, Giovanni Sgambati) various associations, the Comboni priest Alex Zanotelli, the city councilors of the Napoli solidarity group. Mayor Manfredi and his councilors are absent, despite the fact that the city council approved a motion against differentiated autonomy a few months ago. The Region was also missing. The president, Vincenzo De Luca, justified his absence in these terms: «I have been fighting for three years and I go to Piazza del Plebiscito? Those who deserted must go there.”
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It wasn’t just Naples that mobilized against autonomy on the day the text reached the Chamber. Demonstrations called by the Committees and the No Ad Table were held in various cities. In Rome, representatives of trade unions and associations and opposition representatives gathered in Piazza della Rotonda. “We have witnessed yet another provocation from a part of this majority, after a day of forcing and institutional disruptions, to bring to the chamber a measure that risks splitting the country”, said the leader of the Democratic Party, Chiara Braga. With her at the Pantheon a delegation of dem deputies. For Natale Di Cola, general secretary of the CGIL of Rome and Lazio, «instead of implementing political choices that aim to overcome the gaps, the direction is being taken to aggravate the inequalities in access to the most basic rights, such as that of Health”.
A 5 Star flash mob also took place in the capital in front of Palazzo Chigi, in which Conte participated: «Giorgia Meloni is selling out the unity of the country for the votes on the premiership, for full powers. From patriot to secessionist. We will fight it in every way”, said the former prime minister. Demonstrations also took place in Bologna, Bari, Venice, Catania, Turin, Trieste and Catanzaro.
