“I wanted to be there. The big TV channels and national newspapers don’t cover Ponsacco. And someone in Rome might think: a vice president of the council who goes to Ponsacco? Yes, with pride.” Matteo Salvini made his debut. And immediately a loud applause broke out in the large room of the Da Nina pastry shop, on Viale Italia alle Melorie, where yesterday morning the centre-right and the world of civility met to welcome the leader of the Carroccio who arrived in Valdera to give his support to the candidate Gabriele Gasperini. But before the minister’s intervention, faces from regional politics take turns taking turns on the dais. Starting from the member of the League, Andrea Barabotti who calls for change thanks to the desire to sail against the wind (title of Salvini’s book).
And Elena Meini, regional councilor and provincial secretary of the League, has no doubts: “This coalition is strong. And we never once discussed when Gabriele’s name came up for candidacy.” Even Northern League MP Edoardo Ziello has no doubts that he indicates Gasperini as the right name “who also well represents the civic forces of Ponsacco. While on the other side (referring to the centre-left candidate Fabrizio Lupi, ed.), we don’t have a new person, because he is part of that administration responsible for the consequences of Ponsacco’s problems”.
“I remember that the mayor Francesca Brogi – adds Susanna Ceccardi, MEP of the League – that when the case of the Roma arriving in Ponsacco came out, she said in the newspapers that Ponsacco was welcoming, that it could integrate. Gabriele, I invite you to remove these articles because there are families living near the pink building who had to move. Brogi didn’t understand the social bomb that would then explode.” And Ceccardi underlines: “The Democratic Party told lies. As I have already said several times, it was not Ceccardi, mayor of Cascina, who sent them to us”. She thanks Gasperini and takes the floor, focusing on “safety and decorum, topics that seem obvious but which have never existed in Ponsacco”. For the candidate “this fusion between the national party and civic life is the right solution because there are people in the area who can lend a great hand. The people of Ponsacchini can no longer live like this. We want a normal country. We are not asking for the moon”. And as Gasperini closes his speech, the minister arrives and makes his way amidst applause and handshakes: “I see motivated people and clear ideas. Victory is within reach, but the difficult part comes the day after the victory because the world is full of people who promise. So, if everything goes as it should go, I’ll see you in the summer to clear out this blessed building.” And with these words the room lights up. “Because an administration can do a thousand things, swimming pools, schools and squares, but if you are afraid of sending your child out then it is a problem.”
And there is also a joke that links national politics to the furniture town: “I have worked on the new highway code, tightening up some rumors to take away the license of those who drive with their cell phones and those who drink alcohol, but if there are children here in Ponsacco 12 year olds who drive cars then I have to make a variation to the highway code.” From the joke to the warning: “If parents don’t know how to give education, others must give them education.” And before saying goodbye, Samuele Ferretti approaches the minister to let him meet Paola Cerretini, owner of the house that risks being demolished. A case, increasingly national.
