Mattarella: ‘Unacceptable violence; solidarity with the police’

He addressed the National Assembly of Provinces following the recent street clashes, which saw shops attacked and nearly 200 members of the police force injured. Local councillors were present, and he joined them in strongly condemning the most recent incidents. “All violence is unacceptable: we stand in full solidarity with the police.” But he also says that there is a need for “an intelligent and in-depth analysis” of what is happening, of who is organising and who is instigating these incidents involving attacks on city streets. He therefore calls for “careful vigilance capable of countering violence” and speaks of “new actors”.

It is worth noting that the Head of State also raises “questions to be considered from various angles” regarding events that represent a new development in the organisation and manifestations of aggression. In essence, Mattarella appears to be advocating a multi-pronged approach: not merely condemnation and repression, but also understanding and investigations into the movements within society, the extent to which they are fuelled by social media, and who is behind the organisation of these events that fan the flames of youth discontent.

The rest of his speech focuses on the need to bring the provinces out of limbo and restore their equal standing with other local authorities. He acknowledges their fundamental role in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), particularly with regard to the modernisation of schools. In short, there is a specific role to be safeguarded, whilst also focusing on the regeneration of villages and local areas to reverse the demographic trend of depopulation.