Luigi Sbarra will reach his 65th birthday in February 2025 and, as required by the CISL Statute, will leave the position of general secretary, starting the procedures for the replacement as early as January.
The Calabrian trade unionist (originally from Pazzano in the province of Reggio Calabria), announced it in an interview with the newspaper Avvenire in which he indicated the deputy general secretary Daniela Fumarola as the right figure to carry out his current role: «I think he has the right profile to lead the CISL for the next few years with responsibility, authority, pragmatism, autonomy from politics, concreteness».
«I will not ask for any changes to the statutes and regulations of the organization. I will respect the statute by honoring the rulesas it should be – states Sbarra in the interview – In January we will start the consultation procedures to guarantee a change of the general secretariat by seeking maximum internal unity. We must encourage and guarantee renewal at all levels, enhancing the skills, professionalism, enthusiasm and passion of many CISL trade unionists. You can also work in a large organization like the CISL in other roles, at the service of our members, continuing to share the ideal heritage, the values, the great human, social and cultural richness of the organization.” His endorsement, while respecting the union’s nomination procedures, is for the current assistant secretary Daniela Fumarola, elected a year ago for this role. “Daniela is very good, an extraordinary woman and trade unionist, she has experience, competence, moral and trade union qualities of absolute value and my hope goes in this direction. But naturally the General Council will have to express itself.”