Single city: the left discusses and divides. The regional and provincial Democratic Party is in favor of the merger and sets up the committees for the “yes” to the referendum; The Italian left supports the birth of the new large municipality in the urban area; Communist Refoundation, on the other hand, is convincingly against it. And the city circle of the Dems also took sides against it, accompanied in the choice by the municipal council of the Bruzio capital which appealed to the TAR. The members of the spontaneous Rendese committee made up of historic acronyms of the local center-left such as the “Reformist Laboratory” also addressed the judges.
Giuseppe Giudiceandrea, former regional councilor, close to the member of the national secretary of the democrats Elly Schlein, agreed to answer some questions.
What do you think of the unique city?
«I believe that the project of a great Cosenza can only fascinate the most. I, who was the first signatory of the merger law for the creation of Casali del Manco and among the promoters and supporters of the Corigliano Rossano merger, should only think well of such an ambitious project: the fusion of two or more stories, traditions, identity markers is inevitable increase in everyone’s assets.
Of course, I would have hoped that it would be more small towns that aspired to the merger, those – so to speak – in which the mayors receive allowances of less than 1000 euros and cannot appoint councilors and have the same responsibilities and worries as the Mayor of the capital city, but we cannot help but take note of how “fascination” has affected the politics of the large centers the most. We’ll see what the people think.”
What could go wrong?
« I fear that we are not very ready. I imagine a Mayor from Rende town having to look after a hole created in a street in Borgo Partenope (or vice versa). I don’t seriously see a political-administrative class ready to manage such an ambitious project. I would not like the measurement of the bridge with the friends of Corigliano Rossano to force us to lose that demonstrative effect which allowed the beautification and modernization of the city of Bruzi on the example given by the Rende of the wide avenues, the University, the public housing of the Europa Village. Here: if the right women and men are not found there is a serious risk of a downward trend, the result of a double annexation to the capital city and this is to be avoided at all costs.”
Do you consider the initiative taken by the regional Democratic Party to be positive?
«My party, the Democratic Party, is moving very well under the leadership of the regional secretary Nicola Irto, who as a Senator has had the opportunity to make himself appreciated and known and to restore an image of young Calabrian politicians far from the stereotypes we were used to. Even in this matter he is moving very well, adhering resolutely to the project and trying to guide it for the best. The appointment of Giacomo Mancini as coordinator of the project is also excellent.”
Are you convinced by the appeals to the TAR?
«Knowing the law and above all the outcome of other appeals for other mergers, I believe, with all due respect to those who proposed them, that they will end up like the others in a vain legal effort. Rather, the heartfelt invitation is: avoid annexations which would greatly delay any positive effect of the merger. Respecting the popular vote, whatever it is, from personal experience, must be the guiding star on the path towards a new Cosenza.”
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