He defines himself as a ‘political philosopher’, associate professor of philosophy of law at the University of Siena, but also teaches political philosophy in the faculty of political science. Francesco Zini, 48 years old, Florentine, three children (aged 17, 14 and 8), is running for mayor of Florence with the ‘Firenze Cambia’ list. Together with De Giuli, Marrazza and partly Asciuti (the latter already has a council seat behind him), he is certainly one of the outsiders of this administrative round. Aware of the titanic task he faces, he is not discouraged and focuses on the ‘dissatisfied’ of the political offer (“according to the polls they are 30/40 percent of Florentines and if we manage to intercept them we can do it”) and on the contribution he can come to him right from his children.
“Everyone – he says – talks about the Florence of the future. I am one of only three candidates (the other two are Lorenzo Masi of the 5 Stars and Francesca Marrazza of RiBella Firenze), out of ten, to have children. They go to school, they frequent the places of the nightlife, even the ‘hot’ squares, do sport. I wonder how the other candidates, without children, are able to imagine a Florence of the future. Thanks to them, I can do it too. The birth rate is a very serious problem and we will aim very much on family policies and to help those who choose to have children right-left position?
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How did your candidacy come about?
“As a response to a weak political offer from the parties, the opportunity to propose a new and civic list. We are not anyone’s flirtatious list, we are free to stay on all issues and gather a transversal electorate, among the disappointed leftists and those on the right”.
What is the priority for Florence?
“Going back to taking care of the city starting from degradation and insecurity, overcoming the fear of going out in the evening and making the city livable everywhere and at any time, while now there are areas that are out of control. The other theme is the environment, which means health of citizens: we want a ‘green’ and technologically cutting-edge city. Then the birth rate: Florence is aging and depopulating, we want a family-friendly city”.
Tramway, complete the lines or review the system?
“It is a choice made by previous administrations, it must now be completed and improved, because the works and contracts are underway. We will try to remove the poles where possible.”
How to improve local public transport? Was privatizing Ataf a mistake?
“The tram works, the buses don’t, with irregular routes and delays. Privatizing Ataf was a choice from the past, they told us to improve the service, we’ll see. If public transport is competitive with private transport it works, otherwise we will continue to witness the invasion of scooters and private vehicles”.
Multiutility and stock market listing: is it favorable?
“For public goods and services, the market does not always improve the service, because there are corporate profit margins and consequent cost reductions. For us, the Florentines come first, then the interests of private companies.”
Security, what interventions do you have in mind?
“The daily and real presence of the police in the streets constitutes the best strategy to avoid predatory crimes, fights, splits, attacks. Now Florence is unsafe, we will ensure that we coordinate the forces in the field to resolve this situation with the help and the alliance of all authorities and associations”.
Green shield, is it favorable?
“It is a measure that shifts the problem to the suburbs, where pollution will increase. There are more effective and less impactful measures to guarantee the health of Florentines, starting with private heating. Residents must have the possibility of turning their car into LPG and with anti-particulate kit, without being forced to change cars with an outlay of tens of thousands of euros, there are still charging infrastructures for electric vehicles and we cannot create further inconvenience for Florentines in this phase of epochal transition. will last a decade.”
Traffic and parking, how to intervene? Are the underground ones useful?
“Yes, they are needed. All citizens complain about the lack of parking in all areas of the city. Where possible we will make public and private parking.”
‘Sweet’ mobility, his proposals
“I am in favor of widespread bike sharing at regulated and subsidized prices throughout the city. Today it is too expensive, especially for young people.”
From nurseries to health centers, what to do on social issues?
“Free nursery schools based on ISEE and efficient services. Social hardship is increasing and offices and staff must increase so that the fragilities and vulnerabilities of citizens are taken care of. We have resources from tourism and Pnrr, we must spend them well, without waste, at the service of citizens who require efficient services”.
How can we resolve the serious housing problem that afflicts Florence?
“It is one of the most tourist cities in the world. Tourism brings wealth and well-being for many Florentines, but it must be sustainable and controlled. This sector is also out of control in certain areas and we cannot afford it. We will increase rent subsidies for control market prices”.
Are you in favor of expanding the airport?
“Yes, because Florence needs only one safe runway. The one that exists is unsafe and dangerous, short and narrow between Monte Morello and the motorway. The only possibility is to move the route parallel to the motorway. Then it will be possible strengthen the connection with Pisa with a track dedicated to the fast line”.
What do you say about the Nato command in Rovezzano?
“Italy is part of NATO and there is already a military barracks. We are worried about the international geopolitical situation and we want to make Florence a laboratory of peace, following what Giorgio La Pira already did, who said that this it is the vocation of Florence”.
Can the high-speed railway tunnel under Florence be stopped?
“There is work in progress and the drill that is digging with the contracts already in progress. The TAV is a national strategic choice, but we want greater economic compensation for Florence and the Florentines.”
How to conclude the stadium story?
“The rendering of the new Franchi is futuristic and modern. The positioning problem does not change: Campo di Marte is now in the center and cannot support a stadium where games are played twice a week. There are no safe ways for traffic and spectators to flow and the problem of the new stadium will arise again in a few years.”
The first thing he would do as mayor
“Give my cell phone to citizens, for an alliance between governed and administrators: whoever governs must be among citizens, experience their hardships and be at their service, be there when the offices don’t respond”.
