«From here will begin a road that will take us far», is the prediction of the new governor of Campania. Excited, confident because, he repeated several times, “This majority, this coalition defeated the Meloni administration that put people from his administration here.”
At 18.20 with the results more than clear, Roberto Fico, former president of the Chamber, appeared before journalists in his new role as president of Campania, after a long Deluchian decade. Moments before, all the center-left leaders arrived, insisting on being here in Naples, to celebrate a victory that surpassed all our wildest expectations. And the prime minister, former president of the Council, began in front of journalists with thanks “to all the people of Campania for the clear choice that gave us responsibility. They believed in this project and we succeeded.” And when he started to speak, screams came from the audience. This is from Giuseppe Conte: «Presidenteeee…». And applause from militants coming from half of Campania.
First of all, how do you feel?
«Excited, I tried to reply to dozens of messages coming from Italy and also from abroad»
What kind of victory is that?
«Of course there was no remuntada: we clearly won even though someone tried to poison the well. They want to politicize this competition a lot by having deputy minister candidates and all the ministers coming to the regions to promise something. But starting today, I hope the tone is lowered and we can get back to working as best we can because institutions always come first.”
So, now that the polls are closed and the results are clear, is it time to move on?
«If you don’t do this, the regulations will fail but what is in our interest is not arguing with other people but how to solve the problems of the people of Campania. For this reason, from my side, there will be maximum institutional cooperation, each with their own expertise. And then I am confident that by working transparently and paying attention to the needs of the people and the beauty of this region, we will go further.”
This campaign was extremely difficult: it was peppered with vicious attacks against him.
“When there are local elections, the first point is to give an answer to voters and citizens and I try to stick to those points. They invested everything to block our coalition, they worked to make us lose or lose a little, instead we won clearly, with significant gaps and above all with the unity of our coalition. But now we have to start working to govern in the best way and I know we will do it with the best skills and innovative methods. With great ambitions to build a better Campania: because everyone matters, all rights matter too.”
The problem is maintaining a very broad and, therefore, potentially contentious coalition.
“I always say that we work with a political model that puts issues at the center. Today (yesterday, ed.) we gave an important message from Campania about a united coalition because the coalition is able to overcome these problems. When we are faced with issues, regarding public goods, public transport, public health, business, income, jobs, the right to housing, we are a progressive united front that works, wins elections and must work well in Campania to win in 2027 too.”
His first act as governor? The goal of the first hundred days of government in Saint Lucia?
“Our sole focus is Campania. I would move away from the logic of the first provisions and also the logic of the first 100 days, because it seems like everything has been dismantled, but today everything is connected. We have to make the whole of Campania develop. Important investments must of course be made in the internal field, in the field of public health, and therefore, in the field of local medicine, in the field of transport and in the field of the right to housing. We have to work on many aspects, otherwise it will be little communication but we have to work seriously.”
Where do we start?
«Let’s start with investments in public services and public health. We must ensure that the person is treated with local treatment. If we read any research, it tells us that community medicine is a fundamental part of it. If you make investments in telemedicine, in community homes, in community hospitals, the hospital is again a place where seriously ill patients can be treated, who after being treated, return home and are cared for by the local health system. This is a way to ensure that waiting lists move faster, this is a way to ensure that hospitals are no longer congested, even emergency rooms are no longer congested.”
The board? What time will it happen?
«Let’s look at the election results, I believe that political power must have an important role, the public must be qualified, competent and fully participate in the programs we provide. Political leadership will clearly rest in my hands.”
The center-left remained united beyond expectations.
“It’s an important political game and it’s important for all the leaders to come here tonight.”
Outgoing Governor De Luca wasn’t there to celebrate: did you hear from him?
“Of course yes, we talk through messages. We talk about topics, about programs and therefore I am happy with the relationship that has been established.”
Along the way, there are actions that can harm Southern countries such as Autonomy.
«With this victory, a big message comes from Campania: voters do not want Autonomy and we will not force you to do it. But it was from the South, with Antonio Decaro’s victory in Puglia, that the greatest signal against this government was spread. We believe that Italy is one, as stated in our Constitution, one Republic, indivisible and I am sure that many people in the North think so too.”
Abstentionism also had an impact in this election: 44 percent of voters voted.
“We are not at all happy with this data, but it is up to us to work so that in the next elections there will be fewer people leaving the elections. Therefore, our task is to make people feel closer to politics.”
Victories in Puglia and especially in Campania paved the way for subsequent policy schemes.
“If we work well by 2027, we will have a majority change at the national level. But to do this we need to provide answers to society. But from here, I am sure, a path will begin that will take us far.”
