VARESE – The PD motion was rejected for granting the patronage of the Province of Varese to Varese Pride. In fact, only the Dem councilors voted in favor, while they spoke out against the other majority groups and the opposition, as well as the president Marco Magrini himself. For Arcigay Varese (the interview in the video below) «a bad page has been written by the provincial council».
Only the Democratic Party in favor
To open the discussion Carmelo Lauricella of the Civics and Democrats group, which presented the motion. “The decision is a prerogative of the president, who has decided to leave the decision to the council”, he began, before “putting his hands forward”. «Different views could emerge in the majority but in my opinion whatever the decision was it will not constitute an administrative breach and adherence to the majority’s program will not change anything.” And in fact that’s exactly how it happened: the voice of the Democratic Party, despite the subsequent intervention of Cecilia Carangi (“I’ve been going to Pride for years and I’ve never seen any over the top scenes”), she remained solitary.
Eupolis and Noi for the Province against
In fact, different positions from the other forces that support President Magrini. Mattia Premazzi spoke for Eupolis. «We had widely shared the last year’s decision to recognize sensitivity to cultural and educational events with the exception of the parade, a choice that we believe is appropriate for this year too. Furthermore, it cannot be overlooked in the request received from Arcigay a little bit of arrogance». Alberto Barcaro expressed Noi’s position for the Province. «Patronage should not be an act of advice, but remain a discretion of the president. This type of demonstration is sometimes characterized by vulgarity. We underline respect for every person but we believe that Varese Pride is a clear denial of any form of respect.” However, Giuseppina Lanza from Varese, European Province, is absent. So the words of president Marco Magrini (Below is the video with his speech): «I would give patronage but only for events, like last year». And he underlines Premazzi’s note on the tones used by Arcigay.
The voices of the opposition
Voices strongly opposed by the opposition. Enrico Vettori of the Centro Civico Center spoke of «a demonstration that was over the top and violent in content», while Marco Colombo of Fratelli d’Italia, who stood up for his speech, said that «Giving patronage for that type of parade seems excessive to me. This is one of the first political battles to take place here.” Then turning to the Democratic Party: «If you already know that you won’t all vote for it, why are you bringing the motion to the council? To make the electorate happy?”. Sergio Ghiringhelli of the League underlined that «the rule says that the patronage belongs to the president, any forcing does not respect the rules we have given ourselves». Then the vote, with the split majority and Colombo who “challenged” the dems (in the video below the words addressed to councilor Carangi) to present a motion of no confidence in President Magrini.
Arcigay’s reaction
Some representatives of Arcigay Varese were also in the room. “We were accused of being violent and putting on a circus: I don’t know what Pride they saw but not ours,” said the president Giovanni Boschini. At the opening of the council, however, there was the approval of management report 2023, preceded by the assembly of mayors attended by 70 municipalities, equal to 62% of the population and approximately 550 thousand inhabitants (approximately 350 thousand were needed). 56 mayors voted in favor and 14 abstained. The point was then approved in council with the opposition abstaining.
patronage of pride province pd – MALPENSA24
