Comparison yes, comparison no. In Foligno the latest reason for friction – in chronological order – between the mayoral candidates is over “face to face”. The one proposed publicly, for example, by Confcommercio, Confartigianato and Cna. But also by various associations in the hamlet of Sant’Eraclio. Invitations arrived a few days after that ballot which will see the outgoing mayor Stefano Zuccarini (centre-right) and Mauro Masciotti (centre-left) compete at the polls. In detail, the trade associations had asked the two candidates to meet because, as we read in a note, “the previous meetings, carried out individually, were unsatisfactory”. An invitation to face-to-face discussion which Mauro Masciotti however rejected, however showing himself open to separate meetings. The reason, already explained in recent days through a video released on social media, was reiterated on Tuesday afternoon through an official position statement.
MASCIOTTI’S POSITION – “We have already participated in two public discussions in recent weeks – writes Masciotti in a note -. After which the mayor pro tempore Zuccarini made a series of heavy, unacceptable disparaging statements towards me and which I will not remember here. Which is why, weeks ago I announced that I would no longer publicly confront a candidate who uses insult as a weapon of dialogue and seeks a fight as a form of confrontation. I am something other than this and my story speaks for me – continues the statement released by the centre-left mayoral candidate -. Having said that, following the last two requests for discussion that arrived from some trade associations and others in the Sant’Eraclio area, I promptly responded through the official channels underlining my desire to participate in a dialogue on the themes and proposals together with them through the form of individual discussion, also considering it the most suitable for concretely addressing the open issues. We sent official emails in which we expressed our availability for a public meeting in this way, but none of the associations responded to us.”
ZUCCARINI PRESSES ON – For his part, again on Tuesday, the centre-right candidate Stefano Zuccarini had his say through a video published on social media. “I decided to make this video – says the current mayor in the recorded message – because something very particular is happening in this electoral campaign. The left-wing mayoral candidate, Masciotti, continues to avoid confrontation with the centre-right mayoral candidate. After having refused discussion with the main newspapers and television outlets of this region, he now also refuses discussion with the trade associations and other associations that had asked him to discuss with me on the issues dearest to the city. I can’t deal with an empty chair – urges Zuccarini in the video, indicating a free seat near him –: Masciotti’s absence is a serious lack of respect for the city”.
Meanwhile, this evening (Tuesday 18 June) a new meeting is scheduled by the “Southern variant without secrets” committee in the hamlet of Cave. Meeting in which both Stefano Zuccarini and Mauro Masciotti were invited to participate. And, according to what transpires, both will be present at the meeting.
