«Why did people trust me? Because I have never stopped being in contact with the territory. I’m not among those who show up the day before the elections. Now to work immediately on healthcare, transport and infrastructure.” Carlo Riva Vercellotti did not expect the 4,154 preferences obtained in the Regional elections: his forecasts, says the Fratelli d’Italia councilor confirmed at Palazzo Lascaris, «were around 3,000 preferences. I am happy with the result in terms of party vote, 32.2% in the province, and preferences.”
As with other super-voted candidates, the secret of success was contact with the territory. «The other day, with the results certain, I was in Serravalle for the presentation of the Operations Center – says Riva -. People recognized the work of councilor, but also the work in the Province. The memory of me as mayor of Gattinara is still alive, I had good appreciation and I kept it. I always stayed in touch, always present. Even in Valsesia, a difficult area where the political reference is the League. In Borgosesia I got 31%, I had 100 preferences in Varallo. And votes in Scopa, Scopello. People appreciated the roots and the work done.”
Then there was the electoral campaign conducted “without making promises, but giving my vision for the future of the territory, without unrealizable or bizarre promises”. Rather «illustrating the projects to be carried out such as the new monobloc of the Sant’Andrea hospital for emergencies. I could stay at home and enjoy the result, while these days I meet with the Health Department to discuss healthcare construction. We continue without wasting a day, because after the elections we don’t go partying or on holiday. But we begin to work with seriousness and responsibility. Not to mention that before Vercelli had three people in the majority, now it’s just me.”
What to expect now? «I don’t know what role I could have. I hope for the territory and for Fratelli d’Italia Vercelli to be able to play a prestigious role in the regional administration. Beyond the task that I will be able to cover, the objective is to give continuity to the projects that affect the territory such as the completion of the Vercelli-Novara, connections such as the Terzo Valico and the Turin-Lyon. In the future vision there is also the completion of the Vercelli ring road, with the Eastern one connecting the Lower one. The city would have a real ring, as is right for a capital. We must continue with the complete replacement of the rolling stock. We have been working in that direction for years.”
The health chapter does not only include the blocking of emergencies at S. Andrea «but also the two community hospitals of Gattinara and Crescentino, the development of local medicine with the community homes in Varallo, Santhià, Trino and Vercelli, and arriving at the installation of the foundation stone of the new Sant’Andrea hospital which I have already spoken about with Minister Schillaci. The relaunch of a new healthcare system and waiting lists are priority issues for the entire province.” The former president of the Province then recalls the battles in the Regional Council and the results obtained, such as the law on pets and responsible ownership. “Thanks go to my family,” he concludes, “to the militants, to those who encouraged me and to the many friends who, although not from FdI, also publicly decided to support me.”
