Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli, leader of the Brothers of Italy in Campania and general of the auxiliary Carabinieri Brigade. His party gains 5 points on the policies of two years ago and 14 on the European elections of 2019. Is it all thanks to Giorgia Meloni?
«President Meloni’s push is evident and concerned the electoral data as a whole. Then the result also depended on the commitment of the candidates. Unfortunately, different dynamics contribute to the South: who governs the territories matters a lot. And Giorgia Meloni’s favorable wind clashed with factors typical of our areas.”
What is it referring to?
«The 5 Star vote is linked to a specific request for assistance. In these cases we try to intervene by establishing healthy relationships, based on personal esteem, without bargaining chips: indeed, if someone during the electoral campaign approaches me with inappropriate requests, I warn him that he risks committing a crime and I tell him as a policeman; or as a man of power, so that as mayor or regional administrator you can solicit expectations, even in a legitimate way, and gain consensus”.
How much did De Luca influence the European elections?
«He didn’t make a personal commitment. His efforts supported the Democratic Party candidate Topo and the local administrators made the difference.”
As a Carabinieri officer who cares about formal rigor and institutional respect, as you say, didn’t you feel embarrassed when the prime minister, in Caivano, turned to De Luca saying: “President, I’m that bitch Meloni”?
«De Luca is someone who has never taken his institutional role into account and has always insulted everyone, from Di Maio to Bindi to Schlein. It’s his style. In Caivano, then, I believe that the value of the true person prevailed in the premier: to a person who insults me in a rude manner I respond in a brazen manner. I am not intimidated either as a woman or as Prime Minister. However, I can assure you that there was nothing prepared. Indeed, in my opinion it is serious that when De Luca offended Giorgia, no one thought to defend her on the left.”
Fratelli d’Italia today has a strong electoral appeal, but gives the impression of preferring an archaic organization, closed in on itself, with political personnel unchanged since the days of the An.
«Of course, few defectors arrive because we don’t easily welcome those who ask for something in return and, therefore, we are wary of chameleons. However, we have elected five European parliamentarians, and none of them come from AN. And if we consider Gambino himself, among the founders of FdI, he also does not come from the National Alliance.”
We arrive at the crux of the next Regionals. First Tajani, then Martusciello claim the candidacy for the presidency of Campania. They say it’s up to Forza Italia, while it would be up to you to Puglia.
«Absolutely not, we are focusing on Puglia and Campania because we are by far the leading party in both regions. Forza Italia has a third of our votes and governs more regions than the Brothers of Italy. Martusciello has explored this theme a lot: I would have taken note if Forza Italia had obtained more votes than us. But this is not the case and therefore Puglia and Campania will be ours precisely to rebalance relations in the centre-right. I’m saying it right now: Campania will have a candidate for president of FdI and it’s not out of the question that it could be myself.”
Are you self-nominating?
“No, but I don’t rule out running.”
When will it be decided?
«We start working seriously from September».
Martusciello launched an appeal to Renzi and Action to replicate the Basilicata model in Campania. Agree?
«I am not in favor of expanding the alliance to include centrists who have always looked to the left. Conversely, if Forza Italia intends to expand to the center as a party, let it do so.”
What if you could choose a center-left competitor for the Regionals?
«We need to normalize the climate: the political opponent is not an enemy. Giorgia Meloni and I have respect for Manfredi, who has a correct institutional profile, although he brings with him a varied alliance: with the 5 Stars it is difficult to govern the Region”.
Are you against the third term?
«In the beginning, yes: it is the antechamber of the new feudalism. But I would be in favor of De Luca because I consider him the easiest opponent to beat.”
What if it were difficult to find an agreement on one of you politicians as a presidential candidate and the usual round of names between technicians and entrepreneurs began like D’Amato?
«If a quality name like that of Piantedosi emerged, with the imprinting of Fratelli d’Italia, I would agree. D’Amato is also close to the centre-right: it could be discussed, but taking into account the need for internal rebalancing.”
