Just enough time to shake a few hands and gather applause from the hundred people gathered at the Polaresquebut immediately Cecilia Strada, leader of the Democratic Party in the European elections in the North-West, kneels under a European flag. At the center of the stars stands the word «peace», Strada picks up a marker and, signing it, writes: «It’s taking care of other people’s children as if they were your own children». And, in fact, immigration it is the first topic he talks about in his speech. Closely connected to the topics they concern work and pensionsfaced with a progressively aging demographic curve: «Our appointment with history will be in 2045, the year in which we will have an equal relationship between employed and unemployed and our country will stop. We need new traveling companions”, reflects Strada, before distinguishing between “arms” and “men and women”.
Cecilia Strada doesn’t believe that the right really believes to the proclamation of the invasion: «It’s propaganda to get votes. It is the same local administrators of the centre-right who say that without foreign labor the business and puppets will close.” And yet he believes that until now migrants have been considered only as “hands” useful to the economy: “Men ask for rights, hands don’t. And you can make much better use of them.” Especially if migrants find themselves in an irregular situation after losing their job and residence permit. For this reason Cecilia Strada reiterates the need to create not only a “European search and rescue mission at sea”, but also the need for “safe and legal access channels to bring in workers who want to make this country great. And that they are bearers of rights.”
Other topics covered, in the dialogue moderated by Roberto Cremaschiare European welfare, the need to create a “common fiscal policy” and the ecological transition. «On the climate disaster, the right builds enemies to win elections, riding on fears»says Strada, who cites as an example the controversies, especially from the League, towards the conversion of electric cars or the possible use of insect flours. «Revolutions will be necessary from now on – continues the Democratic Party’s European leader -. Only Europe, with fair policies, can give us the tools to deal with them: the workers cannot pay for the reconversion of businesses”. Achieving energy self-sufficiency at a European level also serves another purpose: “It is a factor that helps achieve peace: when you no longer have to depend on dictators’ gas it is easier to take a stand.” There is also room for an appeal for the undecided to vote: “There is a need to get as many people as possible to vote.”
Abstentionism is a theme also touched upon by Marzia Marchesi and Sergio Gandi, both leaders for the Democratic Party in the administrative elections in Bergamo. «All elections are important, but the next one (we vote on 8 and 9 June ed) is crucial, because the future of Europe is at stake – underlines Marchesi –. The right, strong in their nationalistic values, want to dismantle it, the opposite of what we want. We want to expand community policies related to defence, aiming for a European diplomacy that strengthens peace.”
Gandi speaks of the need for a common European defensebefore supporting the candidacy of Strada and the mayor in Europe Giorgio Gori: «I believe it is right that our territory has recognition at a European level». Sergio Gandi also endorses Elena Carnevali: «We hope she will be the first female mayor of the city». And he does not spare a direct attack on Andrea Pezzotta, candidate for mayor of the centre-right, who in Rome defined the 10 years of city government of Gori and the centre-left as an “anomaly”. «Democratically, the voters expressed a progressive administration – underlines Gandi -. What has been said is not only offensive towards citizens but also towards those who have worked in the interest of the city. In my opinion due to the family tradition and the surname he bears (Pezzotta ed) has an aura that he tends to belie on occasions when he talks about the city.” First saying that he would have changed the locks on Palazzo Frizzoni, now talking about an anomaly: «We think we have done a good job and above all that we have been supported twice by the voters’ vote. Democratic rules apply to everyone, even those who consider themselves above those rules”, concludes Gandi.
