«Cities are built, not imposed! An unconstitutional maneuver that does not take into account the voices of citizens and completely nullifies the opinion of the municipal councils democratically elected by the People was not enough, now even dark plots are hidden behind the choice of some regional councilors to carry out a poorly concealed merger at all costs ». Speaking is the Councilor for Culture and Public Works of the Municipality of CastroliberoNicoletta Perrotti which strongly opposes the merger project between Cosenza, Rende and, indeed, Castrolibero. «This is why I wonder what machination is behind this political pact between the Right and the Cosenza and regional Left to accept this merger that no one asked for.
Where have those gone who held conferences for the reasons of saying no to the single city and now instead say they are inclined towards the merger without any hesitation? What is behind the motivations of the Mayor of Cosenza who goes from an absolute no to the unique city created with these conditions to a sudden yes? It is true that “there is always time to be free men”, but it is also true that there is no end to compromises, to personal interests that too often impose themselves on democratic and constitutional values. Maybe we won’t have all the answers but we certainly have an idea of what reasons could be hidden behind the yes votes that have arrived in recent weeks. For these reasons I decided to set up a committee for NO to the merger of the municipalities of Cosenza, Rende and Castrolibero. A committee that is the place of free thought, information and reflection. A committee that is open to everyone and not necessarily just to residents of the cities affected by the merger because what is happening will affect the entire region. In fact, every Calabrian, tomorrow morning, if the Region deems it so, will be able to see themselves “merged” with the municipality next door. “The interested populations” of which our Constitution speaks are all of us, the Calabrians. Only in Calabria, in fact, are mergers initiated as a result of regional provisions and no longer as a result of decisions of the municipal councils (as happened for Corigliano-Rossano and for Casali del Manco), holders of popular sovereignty (in total contempt of the popular will ); only here are the municipal councils dissolved as a result of mergers/incorporations dictated by a very dangerous regional centralism and no longer for the reasons listed in the Consolidated Law on Local Authorities; only here if the president of the National Association of Italian Mergers writes publicly that this type of mergers are “constitutional nonsense” no one is upset as if the last of the runaways were speaking; only in these latitudes if the LAW provides for dissolution in February 2025 does this instead give rise to the agreement(s), signed by PD, which provides for dissolution in 2027 (to maintain some compensation). And much more. I trust in the Calabrians but above all in my community which, for better or for worse, has always known which side to be on, which knows that this “fusion” imposed from above is not convenient for us, because it knows that while we were providing services others were squandering public money and money destined for other things, because he knows the sacrifices made in recent years to make our territory and our identity grow and because he knows that palace maneuvers are not good for cities. With the merger of the municipalities of Cosenza, Rende and Castrolibero we are entering a dead-end road whose direction is unknown.”
