The new regional council will count on the contribution of seven women. We complete our in-depth analysis of the elected representatives – who, curiously, are all from the province of Cosenza – with Rosaria Succurro (FI), Filomena Greco (Casa Riformista) and Elisabetta Santoianni (FI) who join the Corigliano Rossano quartet: Luciana De Francesco (FdI), Pasqualina Straface (FI), Rosellina Madeo (Pd) and Elisa Scutellà (M5S).
Rosaria Succurro (FI)
An endless race. Characterized by the achievement of one goal after another. Rosaria Succurro, president of the Province of Cosenza, mayor of San Giovanni in Fiore, a “red” stronghold for decades, was the first center-right woman to assume the role of mayor of the “capital” of Sila. It was the former governor who passed away prematurely, Jole Santelli, who pushed her to attempt the then successful sortie. Once elected mayor, she aimed – and succeeded – to become president of the Calabrian ANCI. At the regional elections, on the recommendation of her party – Forza Italia – she was asked to “take the field” (to use a Berlusconi expression) and she got involved. The voters rewarded her. Now she could look with confidence to a councilor appointment: when Mario Occhiuto, now Italian senator and brother of the re-elected president, led the municipality of Cosenza she was, in fact, for ten years (never replaced) councilor for tourism and entertainment. An indication as a member of the future Calabrian executive would save her from having to resign as mayor and president of the Province and from the leadership of the ANCI. And in Succurro’s entourage the idea of leaving the prestigious positions does not arouse enthusiasm. From a political point of view – this is the reasoning – the three boxes now occupied by the centre-right could become the prerogative of the centre-left coalition. For example, the mayor of Cosenza, Franz Caruso, would aspire to be president of the Province, having declared this to our newspaper in recent days.
Rosaria Succurro, meanwhile, comments on the result obtained at the Regionals with enthusiasm. «The work done in recent years has been rewarded» he states «and reason and recognition is given to president Roberto Occhiuto and his way of understanding the future of Calabria. I believe that what has been done to the Province has also been recognized by the voters, an important body that has always been open to local mayors regardless of political affiliation. We did not remain closed behind sterile political fences, making all the first citizens of the area feel at home. As regional president of the ANCI, I know how much effort and commitment leading a community requires.” In Sila Succurro has received broad electoral support, competing in an area that has always been dear to the centre-left. «I believe» underlines the regional councilor «that the efforts made to bring the plateau back to its ancient glories both from a tourist and cultural point of view have borne fruit. In San Giovanni we also did a lot from a social point of view by assigning social housing to 56 families in difficulty and promoting “pilot” initiatives to support families dealing with autism.”
The Forza Italia exponent looks to the future of Calabria with optimism. «There are the resources and the political and administrative capabilities to operate successfully in favor of society, intervening to help disadvantaged families. At the same time, a region with 800 kilometers of coastline offers enormous potential for developing – as President Occhiuto has repeatedly highlighted – tourism. I think of the natural beauty and the enormous cultural, historical and artistic heritage we have at our disposal. Ours is a land that has given birth to men and women who have proven capable of impacting the rest of humanity. I am referring to Gioacchino da Fiore, Bernardino Telesio, Tommaso Campanella, the poet Nosside, just to give a few examples. The excellent painter Mattia Preti also comes to mind. Then think of the archaeological sites, churches, castles: in short, we are able to offer visitors everything.”
The center-right grows and wins and Antonio Tajani’s party gains votes. Succurro underlines the positive trend in his political analysis: «Forza Italia has shown itself to be a party rooted in the territory with Bulgarian percentages in my Sila, a historically left-wing area. It is the result of teamwork and a unified strategic vision.”
Filomena Greco (Reformists)
Politics for passion. Graduated in Law in Bologna, manager in family businesses operating in the wine-oil sector, in healthcare and in the hotel sector, Filomena Greco chose to engage in political-administrative life starting from her town of origin, Cariati, becoming its mayor twice. His choice of field was the centre-left: after his candidacy for the European elections, today he holds the role of regional commissioner of Italia Viva. Greco is the daughter of a victim of the ‘ndrangheta: her father, Tommaso, an agricultural entrepreneur, was killed in Lorica in an ambush that went unpunished in 2001.
But what are your ideas on the future of Calabria? «I would like people to be put back at the center» he states «with a different political action. The rights of the Calabrians have not been protected enough in all these years: during the election campaign I saw abandoned communities; I visited food banks and verified the existence of entire families who have nothing to eat. I then think about how much needs to be done to keep kids away from the streets and away from danger. In this sense, it is necessary to support sports associations, theater groups and volunteer communities that can offer young people opportunities for commitment and healthy stimuli. We talk a lot about young people and then we don’t give support to those who try to work in this direction. I don’t just mean economic support, I’m also talking about assistance, structures, active collaboration. We don’t need to pour out money to organize events that leave no concrete traces, but we need to operate with greater foresight and strategy. I think of the concerts and the many other things seen in recent years. In associations you learn to work as a team, to respect others, to observe roles and rules. This is the key to the future: we cannot just think about building infrastructure, we must put man back at the centre.”
The bond between Matteo Renzi and Filomena Greco is very strong. And the new regional councilor does not hide it, «Renzi is the only political leader who has a very clear vision of the future. We are moving towards extremism and people do not reward them. We need to think of a new force by focusing on administrators who experience the problems of the territories every day. We must think of the moderates, the socialists, the reformists, the liberal democrats, putting aside the extremisms of the left and right. We must look to the center and to the left for the protection of rights. The reformist House is the future and the experiment carried out in Calabria will be repeated in Tooscana and Puglia.” The tragic death of her father greatly influenced Filomena Greco: how? He explains it to us: «It was the reason that brought me back to Calabria to continue his battles against the excessive mafia power of certain characters. Politics has allowed me and allows me to live the rebellion against these people by affirming the values of legality that were my father’s. We must never bow our heads in the face of mafia arrogance. Never!”.
Elisabetta Santoianni (FI)
Elisabetta Santoianni, originally from Lungro, is the regional president of the Italian Growers Association. But what pushed you to take to the field?
«The drive was born from the sense of responsibility towards my land and towards the people who every day, with their work, keep the economy and identity of Calabria alive. I chose to run” he explains “to give voice to the agricultural world, to represent those who believe that our region can grow by focusing on competence, seriousness and vision. This electoral campaign was intense and, as is natural, had moments of even heated confrontation, but the vote rewarded those who were able to talk about results and real prospects. It was won on merit and well, because the citizens perceived the change of pace given to the Region in the management of community funds, in transport, in tourism and in agriculture. A Calabria that is no longer at the rear. Now, after the electoral clash, we need the unity called for by Occhiuto: it’s time for everyone to get back to work, together, for Calabria.”
And what will the new councilor’s priorities be in the legislature that is about to begin? «In continuity with the work of President Occhiuto and Councilor Gallo, my commitment will be aimed at consolidating the results achieved and pushing on some key directions: support for internal areas, valorisation of agriculture and agri-food chains, promotion of youth and female entrepreneurship, administrative simplification. Calabria needs a Region that accompanies those who produce value, that rewards merit, that invests in quality and sustainability. I want to work so that staying in Calabria is no longer a difficult choice, but a possibility.”