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The Five Star Movement got the crumbs following the outcome of the administrative elections last Sunday and Monday. A very narrow 3 percent which rhymes with the disappointment of the party leaders, especially the local ones. A quota well away from the barrier threshold and which precludes, once again, the possibility of the five-star members from occupying the seats of the Chamber of Palazzo Zanca. The Cinquestelle regional deputy, Antonio De Luca, does not hide his bitterness over the negative numbers: «It is a disappointing result compared to the forecasts – he admits –. The minimum objective was to obtain 5 percent and bring some candidates to the city council.”
Honorable, the times in which you placed your flags at the town meeting seem very distant.
«Very true, in 2018, despite not having won the elections, we had seven. In the last council meeting and in this new one, no one.”
How do you explain it?
«When we run alone it’s better and our electorate likes it. When we are in coalition the music changes.”
So do you question the alliance especially with the Democratic Party?
«The data speaks clearly. But the fact that Forza Italia and the Five Star Movement did not produce city councilors is not the result of the same phenomenon. We are not structured and organized like the Azzurri. However, I would like to point out that our candidate, Antonella Russo, has given and done her best. And I have nothing to reproach the Democratic Party for.”
Would the M5S have preferred another candidate for mayor?
«Some time ago, we focused on Paolo Todaro, a trade unionist known for his complaints. But then he took a step back and withdrew his willingness to run as an aspiring mayor of Messina for the center-left coalition. So, we all regrouped on Antonella Russo.”
What must be done to grow in Messina?
«It is necessary to start from the territory, dialogue with citizens and structure and organize ourselves in a widespread manner at a local level, integrating the system of territorial groups and provincial coordinators.
Work “from below” is rewarding. I think of the battles I led for the recovery of Casa Cammarata and for the valorization of Villa De Pasquale. But I also like to remember the commitment of some district councilors, such as Alessandro Geraci. Here, these are models to follow.”
How do you judge the cyclone South calls North?
«They won by a landslide, it’s undeniable, so congratulations to them. But we don’t have patronages, Cafs, clubs and unions. The thousand candidates they field are especially bad for the M5S, which is not so structured. In my opinion, Basile won this round, not De Luca, as many still think.”
At Ars you are also in opposition with De Luca’s group. Is there any summary?
«Look, with South calling North we found ourselves on the same side of the fence by chance, as a result of the vote in the Regionals. But we don’t share their project: you can’t get close to Schifani at one time and stay with the centre-left at another.”
Today (yesterday for those reading this) De Luca returned to ask for the governor’s resignation.
«The announcements in the press releases must be followed by facts. What he said is part of the game.”
Does the experiment of broad agreements work or not?
«The wide field is built day by day, starting from the numbers. We have to improve.”