Centre-left mayors sound the alarm to the Government: social stability is now at risk
An appeal to the Government from the mayors of Rome, Florence, Bari, Bologna, Turin, Naples, Milan, Genoa and Cagliari: no to violence, but the high cost of living is exacerbating tensions and demands an immediate response
Key points
Following Saturday afternoon’s protests, which culminated in street clashes, particularly in Milan, the mayors of nine cities governed by the centre-left have written to the Government and issued an appeal regarding the preservation of the social pact. The appeal is signed by Roberto Gualtieri (Mayor of Rome), Sara Funaro (Mayor of Florence), Vito Leccese (Mayor of Bari), Matteo Lepore (Mayor of Bologna), Stefano Lorusso (Mayor of Turin), Gaetano Manfredi (Mayor of Naples), Beppe Sala (Mayor of Milan), Silvia Salis (Mayor of Genoa) and Massimo Zedda (Mayor of Cagliari).
The breakdown of the social and generational contract
In their message to the Government, the mayors emphasise that ‘the social contract and the intergenerational contract are breaking down; this is now clear. It is therefore necessary to take action on the essential safeguards for the Italian population: the right to housing, protections for workers, and efficient public transport’.
Say no to violence
“We say a resounding ‘no’ to violence and destruction, in which we will never be complicit. Now is the time,” they stress, “for the institutions to present a united front and for everyone to take responsibility. We call on the Government to convene the mayors as soon as possible.”
Cities struggling with the high cost of living
The mayors also say that ‘our towns are suffering from north to south due to the high cost of living and all that this entails. This situation is putting our communities under severe strain, exacerbating tensions, and calls for immediate action’. They emphasise: ‘At the moment, there are sectors of the economy for which it is more cost-effective to halt production than to carry on working, particularly in the South, due to the sudden rise in energy costs’.
Requests addressed to Piantedosi and Mantovano
The request to the Government is addressed in particular to the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, and the Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, Alfredo Mantovano, who are responsible for public order: ‘Pointing fingers,’ the mayors conclude, ‘will neither bring down the price of petrol nor ease the current tension in our country.’
