OfFrancesco Rosano
The mayor of Bologna withdraws from the race and prepares the administrators’ manifesto for the Region: «Bologna must be at the center. Let’s not start with the prize of thoroughbred horses but rather a factory of ideas, even with the primaries”
If the Democratic Party wants to be ready for the Regionals “it is important that the race for thoroughbred horses does not start now, but a factory of ideas”. Mayor Matteo Lepore calls the timeout on fireplaces and totonomes for the after Bonaccini. And even if he withdraws from the dispute (“I want to finish my job as mayor”), he is preparing for a tour to discuss “together with many mayors and the best energies in the region” the program for Emilia-Romagna that will come, claiming the weight of Bologna: «Not to impose a name, but because we are one of the most advanced places in the country».
Mayor, the catchphrase returns: Emilia-Romagna is contestable. Do you think so too?
«I think it is right that this land is finally defined as “contestable”. If we are satisfied with what we have done, we will not be up to the challenges that await us. The years behind us have been important, we must thank Stefano Bonaccini and his team for the extraordinary work done. But now is the time to listen and courage. If we were to give the idea that this is a land where change, or even alternation, is not possible we would be arrogant.”
Is discontinuity needed?
«We need a new paradigm. I’ll give you an example: the Pact to overcome the Errani crisis was fundamental between 2008 and 2011, then came Bonaccini’s Pact for work, to which the ingredient of the climate transition was then added. I believe that today Emilia-Romagna needs to be rethought starting from the idea of a dialogue with all the intermediate bodies, there are many third sector and social workers who struggle to be represented. Ten years have passed, now we have to write the next ones. Be generous and open up.”
How?
«Emilia-Romagna must be the point of reference for a reformist government proposal, in Italy and in Europe. The European elections will be a watershed in the face of a right that wants to dismantle Europe. I make an appeal: the only way to have an EU Parliament where socialists have an important voice is to vote for the Democratic Party. Just as he is unable to call himself anti-fascist, Meloni is not independent from a League where Vannacci asks for separate classes for the disabled. Dozens of families are writing to me indignantly. Meloni, Vannacci and Tajani want to take us to a Europe where people are discriminated against. Emilia-Romagna is the hope of something different, but we must approach the Regional elections with a clear discussion, capable of questioning ourselves starting from some fundamental themes: industry and work; home and infrastructure; health and environment”.
Who will carry forward these priorities?
«If a discussion on names started in the next few days, the approach would be wrong. We need to build a listening process involving civil society, a process entrusted to mayors and administrators. I will propose to Elly Schlein and my party to let this discussion be built from the bottom in Emilia-Romagna. In the next 3-4 months I see a factory of the program for Emilia-Romagna, to which I want to give my contribution together with many mayors with whom we are already talking about an idea of an innovative Emilia-Romagna”.
He seems intent on running for post-Bonaccini.
«No, I want to finish my work in Bologna. I’m not running, but I want to have my say because the future of our community is at stake.”
Will there be primaries then?
«I will never say no to primaries, they have done a lot of good for our community, but they are useless if the center-left doesn’t resolve its own contradictions first. To win you need added value that goes well beyond parties. We need to start again from ideas. I feel tired after 20 years of Errani and Bonaccini mandates, we can’t just say “trust us”, we must demonstrate that we have new recipes and proposals for a new world”.
Go to all the news from Bologna
The Corriere di Bologna newsletter
If you want to stay updated on the news of Bologna and Emilia-Romagna, subscribe for free to the newsletter Courier of Bologna. Arrives directly in your inbox every day at 12pm. Just click here.
April 30, 2024
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
