The last comparison. Lucia Chessa (Sardinia R-Esiste), Alessandra Todde (Campo largo), Paolo Truzzu (Centrodestra) and Renato Soru (Coalizione Sarda): the four candidates for the presidency of the Region - listed in rigorous random order determined by extraction - together in the studies of Videolina, animated the episode of Radar – Election Special, on the last evening of the electoral campaign. Director Emanuele Dessì will lead the debate. With limited times for responses, strictly speaking. An hour of comparison between programs and visions on energy, transport, tourism, agriculture. But also on the emotions and moments to remember of the long race towards the vote on Sunday 25 February.

The call to vote

Starting from the end, here are the reasons why each candidate claims that it is right to entrust him/her with the future of Sardinia. Chessa invites us to «consider the last 20 years: this land has been governed alternately by the center-right and the center-left. Ask yourself: are you happy with queues at the emergency room, zero transport, non-drinkable water? If yes, vote for them . Otherwise vote for us, we are the only ones not responsible." Todde instead sees an alternative "between continuity with an incompetent and disastrous council and the bet on change, for a Sardinia that can be modern, fair and clean". Truzzu looks at his experience as mayor in Cagliari: «I have shown that I look after the general interest, my policy is not based on good choices just to gain consensus: I didn't just think about the next five years. And for Sardinia we must create a strategic plan that is valid for the next thirty." Support for Soru means that «Sardinia can be brought into the future with our own thoughts, which are not imposed by anyone. We emerge from the difficulties with a unitary and community project with head, heart and legs in Sardinia."

Energy policies

«There are widespread responsibilities if a colonial and speculative advance on renewables is underway», accuses Chessa, implying a reference to those present in the studio, «but our sun and our wind cannot be exploited with an assault». For Todde «the Region could have stopped the advance of unprecedented speculation with the map of areas suitable for the installation of renewable energy production plants. He didn't. We will create a regional energy company, with a plan. And we will have the gas for the transition. In full respect of the landscape." Truzzu relies on the «Government which is working for the gas backbone in Sardinia . On renewables: we identify suitable areas and negotiate bill compensation for families and businesses. On the Basilicata model: with extraction plants they don't pay excise duties on fuel." Instead, Renato Soru proposes to go to battle with the national executive: «Let's stop the assault immediately. Isn't the state there? They will appeal, and we will go to the Constitutional Court. We are faced with a barbaric advance without rules that must be stopped. Then we will manage the energy with a Sardinian agency."

Healthcare

Chessa calls into question the «principle of responsibility, also in this case. The disaster was caused by those who governed in recent decades. The centre-left and centre-right have made two devastating reforms." The other three agree on one point: no to further healthcare reform. «Only the Conte II government and Draghi have invested in the sector, this has cut back», is Todde's accusation,   «we must focus on local medicine and valorise hospital doctors. Pediatric healthcare is crucial: we cannot fly our children away to have them treated outside." Truzzu maintains that it is necessary «to make what exists work. So far each majority has disjointed what the previous one did. We focus on local healthcare. We don't have to think about new hospitals. Furthermore, the Government must grant an exemption to give incentives to doctors who choose peripheral offices." According to Soru, the problem is that «politics puts its hands on healthcare to gain consensus, also choosing the head doctors. There is no need for reform. Let's start again from those who work in healthcare, let's stabilize temporary workers, let's make sure that doctors don't escape from a public system that is rigged."

The electoral campaign

The electoral race for Lucia Chessa «is already a victory. It's a good thing we're here, someone said, because even those who aren't with the centre-right and centre-left will vote." Todde a Guspini, at the 100th stop of his tour, «felt the desire for change, the possibility of abandoning the lack of hope». Truzzu's was instead a «listening campaign. I was the last to leave but I made 120 stages and covered 12,000 kilometres. I have met many companies who believe in it, want to grow and develop." Soru started much earlier: «I've been touring for six months, first with small meetings, then with large assemblies. Which also thanks to new technologies have united many people in the same place."

Transport

External transport, therefore territorial continuity, and internal transport. «The problem is not the model to refer to», attacks Chessa, «the Sardinians' right to mobility comes before that of profit-making companies and the rules of Europe. Politics has never enforced it. And on the island, we have roads managed by provinces that have been under commissionership for 10 years, led by people not elected by the people." Comparison with Europe is Todde's objective: «We must renegotiate the conditions of territorial continuity by bringing updated data: it is now based on those of 2018. Those who travel for healthcare and study must do so at advantageous fares. And we must put companies in competition to reduce costs for those who come for tourism." On internal transport: «It is necessary to renegotiate the contract with Ferrovie». Truzzu calls the national government to his side «to go and renegotiate the rules of continuity with the EU. With 40 million, using the Friuli Venezia Giulia model, we can reach 400 connections per year. It can be done. On the internal front, however, we have interventions planned and never implemented, with money not spent: they also serve to combat depopulation." Soru quotes himself: «We don't need new formulas. Just go back to the situation in 2008, the rules were the same as now: Sardinians spent 50 euros to fly, non-residents 125. And the continuity was with 8 Italian cities. We can think of extending it to European capitals. For internal connections, the 131 and Sassari-Olbia have been a construction site for 15 years: the solution is to expel Anas from Sardinia, he no longer has to work here."

Tourism and agriculture

Topics that can be treated together, tourism and agriculture? «If in such beautiful Sardinia tourism is worth such a low percentage of the GDP, it means that the promotion is a failure», according to Lucia Chessa. Who says about agriculture: «The tractors are protesting, they don't want trade associations. We must return to the model of family businesses in synergy with each other." Todde argues that there are «different demands for tourism. The seaside one, but also the sporting one, or the food and wine one. We need to put the system online and train the operators. As for agriculture, the reform of the agencies is necessary: Argea, which must pay, does not give any certainty on the timing of disbursements. We need to invest in technology." Truzzu speaks of «interdependence. Tourism, agriculture and transport are connected. The tourist must leave the holiday establishment and must be able to move easily to visit our companies. In the meantime, we must support agricultural businesses, helping them manage the entire supply chain, from feed production to waste. And accompany the generational change towards innovation." Soru criticizes those who base tourism results «only on the number of arrivals, which means nothing. You need to know how many nights they stay, how much and how they spend. Sardinia needs responsible, sustainable, quality tourism. Which focuses on the coasts but also on culture and craftsmanship. We will create an agency called Sardinia Promotion, which will take care of all this, to manage the Sardinia destination." And agriculture: «Protecting it does not mean protecting only farmers», concludes Soru, «but defending the whole of Sardinia».

The game is now almost over: on Sunday the polls are open from 6.30am to 10pm. All the candidates are saying: "Go and vote."

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