Vito Leccese is tired but happy, after the electoral ride that led him to become the new mayor of Bari.
First 24 hours after the vote, how do you feel?
«I’m tired but also very happy. I feel the great responsibility of having to lead this community. In these hours I have registered a lot of affection from the citizens. The same that I had gathered during the electoral campaign, especially in those events organized for the construction of the program. An affection that then transformed into very broad electoral consensus.”
Now that the result has been achieved, what will be in discontinuity with Decaro and what will be in continuity?
“I have always said that for me continuity would never be a disvalue. I am proud to be able to take over from Antonio Decaro. What I would most like to be able to maintain is the strong bond he created with the city. Then everyone has their own education and political sensitivity. I will certainly try to give my own approach, starting for example from those issues on which we received the most requests during the campaign.”
He has already spoken about the first measures to be implemented. But if he had to think of a priority symbolic act, what would it be?
«We have a very serious emergency to face regarding housing. Unfortunately, the unfortunate decision of the Meloni government to cancel the housing contribution is causing enormous socio-economic hardship for over 2 thousand families in Bari. We will have to immediately deal with this emergency using resources from the municipal budget or drawing on community programs.”
Now you will start working on the composition of the new team: what role will lawyer Laforgia have? How are your relationships?
«I was happy with Michele Laforgia’s presence on Monday. In light of the closeness and political commonality and the over thirty-year friendship that binds us, it was important to follow up on what we promised ourselves during the electoral campaign. Both he and his coalition supported me loyally and allowed us to all be together on the same side again. Certainly the forces that make up that part of the coalition will have an important role. We must now wait for the proclamation by the central electoral commission. While waiting for the composition of the municipal council to be clearly defined, I will initiate, as agreed, a discussion with Laforgia to define the methods of discussion at the table of the enlarged centre-left coalition to discuss the program and identify a path that will lead us to the construction of the squad”.
Can you give us some insight into the council?
«It will be a mix of competence, experience, professionalism, passion and gender equality. A bit like we have already done, with an innovative spirit, bringing five women to the presidency of the municipalities.”
How do you respond to those who say that the association with Laforgia is a mockery for the voters? From the right they are already talking about a defrauded minority.
«We are respecting what is required by law. Furthermore, Adriana Poli Bortone, in Lecce, was also elected with the support of another political force but without formal affiliation. I want to understand why this thing is only good if the center-right does it.”
The right’s blitz to conquer the municipality by riding the investigations has failed. The commission will express its opinion in September. Are you afraid that there could be a dissolution?
«For months the municipal administration has given full availability to the access commission. All documents and information requested have been provided. After that, I believe that the ongoing procedure is very complex and delicate and that, as such, it should not be influenced in any way by politics. One thing, then, I want to say. I, who have experienced the administration with important roles, have never felt in recent years any type of conditioning or, worse, the risk of mafia infiltration in the ganglia of the municipal administration. However, let’s leave the commission to carry out its task calmly.”
