A technical knockout blow, if we wanted to use boxing jargon. The extension of the commissioner’s management has almost surprised everyone. The electoral campaign had – and has – effectively started. With the various sides and forces in the field ready to form lists and candidates. In the last week, which was actually very confusing compared to the rumors and news coming from Catanzaro and Rome, public initiatives and non-random endorsements have been pursued.
With candidates in sheep and candidates only on paper to hide, indeed, other objectives. It all started with the Ministry’s internal circular, anticipated by our newspaper. And then, to follow, the indications of the dates from the prefecture of Cosenza. Two clues, rather than proof, that the possibility of voting immediately was real. Other than that. Furthermore, confirming the report of the three commissioners officially handed over to the new prefect of Cosenza. “We are waiting for the technical decisions from Rome”, they had also explained to us from the municipal house. Everything in “game”, therefore. With a decision that could have gone in multiple directions. At around 7pm on Friday, in the midst of an electoral meeting in the square, ironically, here was the choice. The Council of Ministers, upon proposal of the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, in «consideration of the need to continue the work of remediation of the administrative action with respect to the ascertained conditioning by organized crime, pursuant to article 143 of the Consolidated Law on local authorities (legislative decree 18 August 2000, n. 267), has resolved to extend, for a period of six months, the dissolution of the municipal councils of Rende and Castiglione di Sicilia (Catania)”.
And there was no shortage of reactions. “If Manna had resigned when we asked him to, he would not have left Rende in this limbo and in this delicate moment,” said Talarico. For him «the commissionership is a painful necessity but that guarantee process has worn out. In Rende there was a political problem rather than a judicial one, the civitas and the community must be helped to find each other again.” While for Sandro Principe the extension of the commissioners sounds like “a way to stop the citizens of Rende from voting”. For the former mayor, the extension was not at all a given. «The plan is clear: the center-right majorities will decide which municipalities to cancel thanks to authoritarian laws like the Calabrian one».
