FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
GENOA – “We’re off to a good start, come on.” Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Edoardo Rixi does not lack the gift of self-irony. If there was a competition to reward those born under a bad star, the first edition of DePortibus he would have a good chance of getting on the podium. A “ports that connect the world” festivaldedicated to dissecting the problems of the sector but also to celebrating it, also sponsored and supported by the Liguria Region, overwhelmed by an investigation based on the port of Genoa, the largest in Italy.
«There is a gloomy climate, I wouldn’t want every work and every investment to stop, the future is uncertain.” All in one breath, from the stage. If a good morning can be seen from the entrance to the beautiful conference center of the La Spezia Cruise Terminalwe need to get our hands on the amulets.
Alessandro Laghezza, president of one of the most important Italian shipping companies, is speaking from the stage of the «Ports, Logistics and Infrastructures» meeting, and is not spreading optimism. The audience is made up of professionals. The stands are closed. In the wide corridors, let’s say there is no crowd. The institutional greeting from the regional councilor for economic development Alessio Piana has, if nothing else, the merit of supersonic speed.
In normal times, the main reason for curiosity would have been the presence of Andrea Giambrunoformer partner of Giorgia Meloni, as moderator of the aforementioned debate. (Side note for fans of the saga: very knowledgeable on a difficult topic such as port management, friendly with colleagues and simple acquaintances. Nothing else to report).
But normality is not out of fashion, in these days of Ligurian limbo and especially judicial news. «We asked ourselves the question of whether to cancel the event, after what happened. We decided to carry on anyway, because at a time when everything seems opaque, it seemed right to do so to show the very good that exists in this sector.” How could the organizers not be sincere, faced with an atmosphere so sad that it could be cut with a knife.
Early in the morning, Matteo Salvini tries to cheer up a depressed audience, not the simplest undertaking. “If someone is being clever it is right to intervene” says the leader of the League, partially correcting the course of his latest statements. «However, I hope that there is not someone who has the aim of stopping the development of the country. If you block infrastructure in Genoa, such as the new breakwater at the port, you are doing an injustice to millions of citizens.”
Haunted by questions about his possible availability, because much of the Ligurian center-right sees him as the only possible lifeline in the event of a return to the polls, Rixi also says that next May 25thdate of installation of the first emerged caisson of the new dam, it will be an important day. “It would be important for the government to show cohesion on this issue,” he says.
At lunchtime, it’s all a council on possible new elections, on Toti’s resignation which seems ever closer, in short we always talk about the future but much more contingently. «How nice it is to be able to talk about ports and seas» says a speaker from the stage, in complete good faith. Someone rolls their eyes. “See you next time” greet the guests after the staff coffee. “If there ever will be” is the sad reply of the workers at a catering service that has become almost deserted.
Also Giuseppe Conte he must have thought the same thing. The leader of the Five Star Movement, expected yesterday in Sanremo for an electoral event, instead descended on the capital, where a demonstration organized by numerous civic committees was planned. Over two thousand people, in fact the opportunity was tempting. But the promoters welcomed him, dissociating themselves “from any attempt at political and media exploitation”. After a statement in which he was sorry “for the misunderstanding about my role and that of the Movement”, in order not to make the protest his own, Conte placed himself at the back of the procession. Where, however, even the most intransigent souls were present, the pure ones who always purge you no matter what. Vulgar insults against him, the accusation of having “ruined the city with Salvini”. Once he arrived in Piazza De Ferrari, he was still applauded, and he didn’t skimp on selfies with more gentle participants. Mission accomplished.
