Vittorio Sgarbi will be a candidate in the next European elections with Fratelli d’Italia, according to a preview from Il Foglio. Giorgia Meloni’s surprise move would have taken place last weekend in Pescara, during the meetings on the sidelines of the party event in which the prime minister herself announced that she wanted to run in all constituencies. Sgarbi himself confirms this to Il Foglio and thanks Meloni for the choice. To Repubblica, the former undersecretary says he has already signed the forms for accepting the candidacy: «I spoke with La Russa – says Sgarbi – Tomorrow they will tell me where I am a candidate».
In which constituency will Sgarbi be a candidate?
Sgarbi himself says he does not yet know in which constituency he will be a candidate. The hypothesis is that his name is on the list of the Central constituency, but that of the South is also not excluded. According to Repubblica, the latter would be the most accredited: «I would be flattered, I enjoy myself in the South, I have always fought for the South . I was elected deputy twice in Calabria, I was mayor in Sicily. I feel comfortable, for me it’s a family area. However I have no problems.”
The hypothesis of the candidacy in the South
Sgarbi’s aspiration, however, would be to present himself closer to his home: «I know they have nominated me, but I don’t know in which constituency yet. I asked for the North East. Because I am from Ferrara, elected to the European Parliament there in 1999, I was superintendent in Venice. I have signed for now – he adds – I have not set any conditions, it is not excluded that they will ask me for more constituencies”. The idea of running in all the constituencies would not displease Sgarbi, also due to a sort of challenge with Roberto Vannacci, candidate with La Lega: «He is a candidate in all five».
Resignation
Last February, Prime Minister Meloni had accepted Sgarbi’s resignation as undersecretary of culture, after the Antitrust ruling on the case of incompatibility for a series of conferences on art, for which he would have asked for an attendance fee. Shortly before, an investigation had also emerged against Sgarbi for money laundering, on the sale of a painting by Manetti which was found stolen from the castle of Buriasco.
