In the first round, Cremona recorded one of the worst turnout figures for local elections: only 58%. Almost ten points less than five years ago. If we analyze the second round, however, voters were only 46% of those entitled to vote. As Forza Italia’s City Commissioner, I cannot help but question the growing disaffection towards the management of public affairs, especially on the part of a young generation that feels impalpable with respect to the real opportunity to influence civil life. I do so as a 27-year-old man, but as a convinced adherent to a party.
For many it would have been unthinkable to build a list of 32 councilor candidates; actively participate in the construction of the electoral program; be constantly present in the streets of Cremona with your own material and organize numerous public events to expose your vision of the city. Unthinkable because parties, if encountered on the street, cause division rather than union. They intimidate, rather than encourage. During the construction of the electoral list, we saw first-hand the widespread fear of exposing themselves among the many people we met. A fact that worries us and that requires deep reflection in those who have administered up to now.
Being aware of this context, Forza Italia in Cremona decided to play the game following a strategy: involving people around contents that could stimulate thought, dialectics and cross-examination; provide profound reasons to convince citizens to get involved. On the basis of their history and abilities, each candidate was able to promote public meetings for the exposition of the program: from the theme of sport and disability, to that of tourism and commerce, up to the chapter on stopping in the city, passing through that of decorum and urban greenery.
For us, this is what politics is all about: creating favorable conditions for everyone to express their talent, but having as a point of reference a tradition of thought that exalts the resourcefulness of the individual in order to pursue the common good.
Taking charge of a concrete proposal and spreading it in a passionate way was able to convince 32 citizens representing every area of civil society to run behind the Forza Italia symbol. We did this by positioning ourselves as a point of reference for liberal and moderate centre-right thought, joining forces with the UDC, Noi Moderati and the Italian Liberal Party. A team spirit that we wanted to demonstrate in the convinced and loyal support to the other centre-right political forces, and above all to Alessandro Portesani, who gave the maximum of his energy and time. Beyond the posthumous evaluations, how many would have left their jobs for months and made themselves available to their community? He was an example for us, and we want to say it publicly.
Now we have five years in opposition, in which we will defend the proposals put forward during the election campaign. Above all: the creation of an integrated plan for urban quality; the drafting of a parking plan and the obtaining of a single manager; the redevelopment of the southern part of the city; the remodulation of the family-friendly tariff system; the expansion of the training offer for young people and the establishment of a permanent economic consultation. We will guarantee seriousness and commitment to the opposition, but we ask for respect for our proposals and for the people who convey them; respect that has often been lacking in the past. We therefore expect Pizzetti’s openings to collaboration with the minority to become the practice of political relations in the Municipality of Cremona.
Finally, in these hard months of work, a capital of relationships has been created that must not be squandered, because strengthened by this enthusiasm, Forza Italia will have to continue to do politics in Cremona for the rest of these five years. Even and above all outside of electoral campaigns. We express our desire to open the doors even further to the many people we have met and who were impressed by the contents and style that characterized us. Our objective will be to consolidate the presence of Forza Italia in the city with a new secretariat involving motivated people, and to establish thematic departments on the basis of council commissions, which can give their contribution on issues of local and national interest, to support those who Consiglio will certainly do an excellent but hard job. The most loyal support will therefore go to Saverio Simi.
City commissioner of Forza Italia
