Sassari Can’t civility live in opposition? Not even an idea. It was born there and it can continue to operate there, carrying out its city project. The mayoral candidate will lead it Nicola Lucchiwho has no intention of taking steps backwards and who on the contrary is relaunching, making himself available to Giuseppe Mascia to secure the fundamental matches for Sassari, and teasing the centre-right, which has no ruling class, no programs and not even a point of reference, given that the one chosen, Gavino Mariotti, has already returned to university.
Did you expect to lose in the first round?
«I expected that we would get more or less these grades, maybe a little more. I hoped they would be enough to get to the ballot, but unfortunately others failed.” Are you talking about the centre-right? “Not only. But I repeat, these were details that probably could have been taken care of better. And I remain sure that in the run-off, even with such a wide gap, it would have been a completely different game.”
Campus says that civility hardly survives without being able to do things.
«I won’t deny that I also had the same thought. But then I thought about the fact that this project was born while I and many others were on the opposition benches. And I saw the many good people we met during this month of election campaign, and the many who supported us in these years of government. People who have projects, ideas, who care about the city. And that the project deserves to continue.”
With her as leader?
«I have always felt functional to the project and not the purpose of the project. But I remain in the field because I realize that in this phase of transition, of discussion, we need a point of reference that prepares the future. And build a real alternative to the center-left that would otherwise be missing.”
Are you talking about the center-right again?
«This time yes. The center-right in Sassari demonstrates that it has no history or prospects. It has no ruling class, and it doesn’t even have an idea of the city. Its candidate, who was also external and has already returned to being rector, spoke about the university and not Sassari throughout the electoral campaign.”
Giuseppe Mascia instead?
«There are differences, clearly. But he was also very honest in saying that he will be able to complete the good things we have put in the pipeline. I gave him sincere compliments and told him it was time for responsibility. He reciprocated them. He will have our support for all the issues that we consider important for Sassari, although I hope for him and for the city that he doesn’t need it.”
Do citizens pay for having worked too hard with their heads down, losing contact with the city?
«I campaigned with my head held high, but it is clear that if the message of the enormous things we have done in these 5 years, two of which were pandemic, has not passed, some mistakes, even serious ones, have been made». What do you leave? “A treasure. A good administrative machine, lots of projects, lots of money in the coffers, just close on time. And be careful about some delicate matches.”
Tell me some.
«Just to start with the one linked to the metropolitan city. Which must leave and must be governed. I hope it’s the right time, many future destinies for the Sassari native pass through there.” Then? «Urban planning. The Puc is prehistoric and is blocking the development of the city.”
“Its” technical implementation standards were scuttled by the Region.
«With the Region there was a muscular confrontation that was largely incomprehensible, even on issues such as trade on which the cards are decidedly unclear. We avoided going to court for the good of the city. But resetting everything and starting from scratch would be a mistake. These are very long procedures and Sassari needs urban planning tools adapted to the times.”
Even in the tourist areas it didn’t go very well.
«Here too, starting from scratch would mean not exploiting the immense potential of our coasts and our villages for another 5 years, a mistake. I hope it doesn’t happen, also due to the strong political significance that part of that measure has.”
Are you talking about Holy River?
“Yes. I’m talking about the fact that the Municipality claims the right to be able to think of a different future for its territories. Enough factories on our coasts, and keep the “takers” of renewables away from our countryside.”
What should Mascia steal from his program.
«Sassari capital of culture. It is not a dream but a concrete opportunity. We have enormous potential to exploit. I am sure that Mascia knows it and I have the motivated hope that she will be able to make the most of it.”
So is he staying on the field?
«First of all I will hear from all the candidates and those elected, I am a true democrat, and I respect the majority’s decision. But I will certainly be among the council benches, as always having my say, and ours. And to think of the good of Sassari.”
