The first time of “Sì Ponte” in the square. The signing of the “No Bridge” candidates’ pact. The “test of strength”, in the presence of around 4 thousand supporters, of the Basile-De Luca duo. The inauguration of the electoral committees of Marcello Scurria and Antonella Russo. This is what the intense day of Saturday left us which, in fact, marked the beginning of a crucial phase, on a pre-election level, which will lead to the official presentation of the lists for the Municipality and the Municipalities, but also to the indications of the first members of the teams “destined to support the mayoral candidates.
The Bridge issues were also relevant yesterday. Meanwhile, the usual dispute has arisen – it always happens even when the “No Ponte” group parades through the streets – between those who judge the demonstration staged on Saturday afternoon, in Piazza Unione Europea, to be a “flop”, and those who define it, instead, as “a success”. The promoters of the event, led by the Civic Network for Infrastructures in the South, were keen to point out that the initiative deliberately did not have a political characterization and those who spoke did so for their institutional role, from the minister Matteo Salvini to the undersecretary Matilde Siracusano, from the senator Nino Germanà to the president of the Sicilian Region Renato Schifani and the regional secretary of Forza Italia of Calabria, Cannizzaro, who spoke at place of the absent governor Roberto Occhiuto. There were no party flags, but only those of the CISL, Cisal and the organizers of the demonstration. Some absences, however, were noticed, especially among the ranks of Fratelli d’Italia, Giorgia Meloni’s party. And there are those who also attribute a clear political significance to the fact that two national newspapers in the centre-right area, “Libero” and “Il Giornale”, have chosen diametrically opposite paths. The first, directed by Mario Sechi (former head of communications for the prime minister), did not publish even a single line of the Messina event, which was attended by the vice president of the Council of Ministers. The second, directed by Tommaso Cerno, who has always been close to the Berlusconi family, dedicated a page to the event on the banks of the Strait.
And the failure to intervene by mayoral candidate Marcello Scurria also caused discussion. As well as his subsequent declarations: «The Bridge over the Strait is a work required by law, but the mayor’s duty is also to carefully monitor the impact it will have on the territory and on the lives of citizens. The protection of the environment, the landscape and the quality of life of the people of Messina must be an absolute priority. For this reason, it will be essential to immediately establish a special office dedicated to the Bridge, with the task of monitoring every phase of the project, protecting citizens and ensuring maximum transparency. At the same time, it will be necessary to re-discuss the works to be financed, giving priority to interventions that are truly useful to the city and ensuring that the complementary works concretely respond to the needs of the territory. My commitment will be to always be alongside the people of Messina, defending their rights and building sustainable development opportunities for Messina.” Many, especially within the League, have read a clear “distinction” on the part of a candidate supported by a coalition that should have the Bridge at the top of its priorities. Senator Germanà tries to throw water on the fire: «I repeat, interventions by the mayoral candidates were not expected. Cannizzaro, who is a candidate for Reggio Calabria, only intervened to bring greetings from President Occhiuto. The centre-right in Messina is united and compact.”
On the front of the outgoing Administration, the PalaRescifina event is celebrated with enthusiastic tones. «There were so many of you, you made me move», says Federico Basile, who, together with Cateno De Luca and the leaders of South calls North, is also working on a draft of what should be the “government team”, among those designated to the role of councilors or presidencies of the investee companies.
Finally, the candidates for the mayoralty of the Center Left, Antonella Russo, and of the civic movement Rinascita Messina, Gaetano Sciacca, met together and signed the “No Bridge Pact” proposed by the “Torre Faro Blog” and signed on the occasion of the Infopoint, organized on Saturday afternoon by the “No Ponte Capo Peloro” Committee. One of the candidates for the presidency of the VI Municipality also signed that agreement: the activist Mariella Valbruzzi.
