ROME The depopulation of internal territories and the need for reconsideration, revitalization and resumption of the heart of Italy, a series of small realities too forgotten but essential for national cohesion and development were the themes of the meeting.Previouslypresident Mattarella and prime minister Melon they were in perfect harmony. And it is proposed to make it a joint fight, between these two institutions and between the sectors of political power that are most conscious and aware of the challenges that the country has to face, to return centrality to peripheral areas, to increase livability – for example: local transport should be encouraged, as suggested by the Head of State – and the dynamism of many areas that are remote but worthy of new consideration.
TOGETHER
Mattarella said it clearly, in front of the mayors gathered in the assembly in Bologna and the president of Anci, Gaetano Manfredi: «The question of the interior, mountainous regions and small islands has long been a matter of urgency for the country. The Prime Minister spoke about that in his message.” That’s right. Before Manfredi and Mattarella’s speech, in the congratulations that Meloni sent – for this event it was very aptly titled “Together”: i.e. municipality as a place of territorial and civil exchange and unity – the prime minister spoke about what the government is doing and spoke about a “new national strategy for the internal region”. He explained it like this: «We have strengthened the program compared to before, and guaranteed national and European resources totaling more than one billion 300 million euros. This is an option that will allow us to achieve a doubling of the population compared to the 2014-2020 program and to expand the spectrum of beneficiary cities”. The key to this approach is – again this is the key word – “together”. That is, “together – says Meloni – we have built this initiative, because none of us has given up on the idea that our beautiful villages and our beautiful hinterlands, which preserve the deep identity of the Nation, will suffer decline and neglect”. They are words that naturally fulfill Mattarella’s sensitivity and approach, and it is no coincidence that he raised it again and focused on the topic «Thirteen million of our citizens – said the president – live in places far from major urban centers and major infrastructure centers. These are places where progressive depopulation is taking place. In short, “small towns are the epitome of underdevelopment and must be put in a position to become engines of vitality and restart.”
DISTANCE
Because these are all forms of exclusion, social exclusion, exclusion of those who come to work in Italy, exclusion and scholastic exclusion in general, political-cultural issues that Mattarella constantly addresses and invites everyone to try to solve, there is also a physical and territorial exclusion in many communities and villages that can only be overcome by investing in infrastructure – and Pnrr does it. Shortening the distance, that’s all. And this too, in Mattarelli’s vision, is a question of democracy.
The President urged: «Municipalities are the front line of our democracy in which citizens recognize themselves. Being a thermometer for popular participation and, therefore, trust in the institutions of the Republic, encourages us to ensure that these institutions are a reflection of the will of the people, especially at a time when there are concerns about a decline in the vote share”. And once again: «We cannot be satisfied with a democracy of low intensity». Here the discussion touches on the hypothesis of a new electoral law, without being explicitly mentioned. «This shortcoming cannot in any way be filled with technical mechanisms, which in some cases could make it worse: representativeness is another thing». And the Head of State did not resign at all: «The decline in the number of voters is a challenge for those who believe in the value of democratic participation of citizens». Therefore, in relaunching a full democracy, the need to restore strength within the country and revitalize participation in voting is finally united in meaning, which must be pursued with determination, even more so in these times of polarization, sharp contrasts, radicalization.».
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