In the Foligno run-off Enrico Presilla will vote for Stefano Zuccarini, the outgoing and re-nominated mayor of the centre-right, “but remaining independent”, which is why “I will not join the government team”. Thus Presilla, mayoral candidate for Popular Alternative, Stefano Bandecchi’s party, a few hours before the deadline for the formalization of the so-called apparamenti, i.e. formal agreements that the political forces can sign before the ballot, expires. Presilla’s treasure, which on 8 and 9 June collected 6 percent, or 1,625 votes, can represent the balance of power in a match which in the first round ended with a gap of 360 votes in favor of Zuccarini: the outgoing mayor in fact obtained 45.8 percent and his centre-left opponent, Mauro Masciotti, 44.5 percent.
«We were contacted by both Masciotti and Zuccarini», said Presilla, explaining that «the meetings aimed at discussing ideas, programs and the overall vision of Foligno». The tables were served to Presilla, also supported by the civic body that bears his name and by Impegno civil, «to underline our programmatic peculiarities, such as the position regarding the topic of security, family policies or the Southern Intermediate Variation», but also to “express our intention to stick to the program presented”.
The centre-right and centre-left coalitions «have asked us publicly – says Presilla – to take sides and act as guarantors of the institutional authority of the city council during the next council session». In this context, the representative of Popular Alternative clearly rejects formal agreements, saying: «We will not form an alliance with either of the two coalitions, nor will we enter the government team or their respective majorities. We will remain independent and will choose from time to time only and exclusively for the good of Foligno.”
However, Presilla and her people will participate in the Foligno ballot by going to the polls: «Knowing that we are citizens called to express our vote for one of the two mayoral candidates, we believe that renouncing to vote is anti-democratic. Precisely for this reason, by virtue of the discussions I had with the group that supports me, taking into consideration the support of the European People’s Party and the adherence to the values of a balanced and reforming centre, I decided to vote in the run-off for Zuccarini”.
