It was a public debate without history, dominated by the mayor Valentina Palli, the one between the candidates for the mayor’s seat in Russi. At the table Palli, 39 years old, outgoing mayor supported by Insieme per Russi, (Pd, Psi Psi and the ‘leftists’ of Cambia Ross), the challengers Sante Samorè, 71 years old, retired teacher and financial intermediary, for Centro Destra per Russi ( Lega, Forza Italia and Fratelli d’Italia) and Giordano Cignani, 75 years old, retired physicist, candidate from Rifondazione Comunista. The meeting took place in the Melandri garden: the over 200 citizens present could not ask questions, but they did not fail to comment with applause or laughter. The questions were asked by journalist Elio Pezzi, who also checked the response times with stopwatch in hand. There were several back-and-forths, especially between Palli and Samorè.
“Shame, shame, shame. The enormous tragedy of a year ago caused a lot of damage to flooded fields, 500 houses damaged and two deaths in our territory – began the centre-right candidate –. The Municipality did not request the Region to clean the rivers. This pushed me to put my professional experience at the service of my city.” “I ask Samorè to remind Giorgia Meloni of the 500 families affected by the floods, who have not yet seen a penny. He does not respond to our requests”, replied Palli.
As regards employment policies, according to Samorè the Municipality cannot do anything, the actors are the entrepreneurs, the Government and the European Union. For Cignani the Municipality can only act on the reception of migrants for those jobs that Italians do not do and on training. “We held the meetings to relocate the 48 women from the failed Mercatone Uno in my office, not in Rome – replied Palli –. Recently new non-polluting companies that offer qualified work have chosen Russi”.
The heaviest clash was on welfare, when Samorè defined ““Casa Canterini” as a laudable project, but an initiative that meets the needs of a few, around ten disabled people, while the increase in personal income tax affects everyone. Furthermore, they make announcements, but we don’t see any finished works.” “We must say to that minority with disabled children, don’t you deserve our investment? – the mayor retorted – our motto is “we leave no one behind”. The construction sites of the Pnrr nursery school, schools and hospital are at an end. Irpef it has grown, but we have taken it away from the lowest incomes.” In closing Cignani made an appeal for peace in the world,
Claudia Liverani
