Milan

Urban planning enquiry, a new Tangentopoli? Here are the reactions

The Milan Public Prosecutor's investigation shakes up the city's political framework and starts to draw new fault lines in view of the upcoming municipal elections

17 July 2025

3' min read

The investigation by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office involving, among others, the mayor Giuseppe Sala and the councillor for Urban Regeneration Giancarlo Tancredi, is shaking up the city's political framework and beginning to draw new fault lines in view of the upcoming municipal elections. Accusations ranging from undue inducement to forgery, and calling into question not only the political leadership, but also key players in the city's urban transformation, such as Manfredi Catella and Stefano Boeri, according to the investigation papers.

Schlein phones Sala: solidarity and closeness

To Sala, on the evening of Thursday 17 July came the call of solidarity and closeness from the secretary of his party (the PD) Elly Schlein

Meloni: Sala decides on best governing ability

'My position,' said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in an interview with Tg1, 'is the one I always have on these cases: I think that the judiciary must take its course, and as far as the mayor is concerned, I have never been convinced that a notice of guarantee brings the automatism of resignation. It is a choice that the mayor must make based on his ability, in this scenario, to govern as best he can. I do not change my position based on the political colour of the suspects'.

Crosetto: in Milan lawyers want to replace legislator

The reactions also included the comment by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who pointed the finger at the judiciary: "I know that no one will be surprised by my position because principles come before any political or party position, and so I continue to think that the judiciary should not and cannot replace the electoral body. In Milan a part of the investigating magistracy has also decided to substitute itself for the legislature, in the fields of town planning, taxation, labour, through normative interpretations that seem to me, in many parts, far removed from the provisions of the law and indeed very dangerous (by way of example, what is happening against some fashion and luxury companies, out of ideological hatred alone, is incredible).

Forza Italia: 'Sala resign, but for maladministration, not the investigation'

The centre-right, and Forza Italia in particular, holds firm to the line of garantism, but sharpens its political criticism. "We are not the ones in the squares with coins or nooses in our hands," clarifies Alessandro Sorte, an Azzurro deputy and Lombardy's regional secretary. "We will never ask for a resignation based only on a warrant notice. But Milan has been at a standstill for years, blocked by a confused administration. A turning point is needed'.

Words that are also echoed in the statements of the vice-president of the Senate, Licia Ronzulli: 'Sala has not been a good mayor. But he must not resign because of what we read in the newspapers: he must do so because of his mismanagement of the city'. Ronzulli warns, however, not to mix political judgement with judicial profiles: 'It will be the judiciary to ascertain responsibility, but in the meantime there are businesses at a standstill, families in difficulty, jobs at risk'.

Monguzzi (EV): 'Worse than Tangentopoli, Tancredi resigns'

The reaction of the environmentalist opposition is much harsher. Europa Verde councillor Carlo Monguzzi likens the enquiry to a new Tangentopoli (bribery scandal): 'This is not about a rotten apple, but a parallel urban planning system tailor-made for private individuals. Tancredi must go, and Sala must come to court to explain everything. If he does not clarify, everyone go home'.

The councillor calls for an immediate stop to ongoing projects, starting with the new San Siro stadium, a symbol of the tension between urban development and public interest.

Appendino (M5S): 'Right and Pd guilty together. Sala takes a step back"

A cross-party attack comes from the 5 Star Movement. Chiara Appendino, former mayor of Turin, presses: 'A disturbing picture emerges from Milan. Sala takes a step to the side. But it is unacceptable that it is the right wing that is lording it over him: they are the same ones who dismantled the anti-corruption instruments and approved the Save Milan law together with the PD". According to Appendino, the rule now suspended in the Senate helped to inflate the speculative bubble that the investigation is now bringing to light.

Lega: 'Garantisti yes, but Sala must come to court immediately'

The League asks Sala to report back to the courtroom today. 'Garantisti yes, always. But by now one comes out every day and the image of Milan is sunk,' attacks Samuele Piscina, provincial secretary and city councillor. 'Milanese urban planning is blocked, the city is less and less inclusive, it expels the middle class. If Tancredi's arrest is validated, the only responsible act would be for the entire council to take a step backwards'.

Pd in Milan: 'We continue to support Sala'

'We continue to support the work that Mayor Sala and the entire administration will have to do over the next two years'. This was explained in a note by the secretary of the Milan PD, Alessandro Capelli, regarding the investigations on urban planning that see the mayor Giuseppe Sala under investigation and a request for arrest for the councillor for Urban Regeneration Giancarlo Tancredi. "With full respect for the work of the judiciary, we confidently await the evolution of the facts, including what we have learned in the newspapers regarding the mayor," he continued. "It is also important for us to understand the precise contours of the entire affair. We are confident that every individual decision will be taken to protect ourselves and the Milan centre-left'.