Fico: "M5S could be the first party in the South"

He greeted and thanked the Chamber and the offices for the last time, last Thursday - "it has been an honor to work in these years at the service of citizens and represent the institutions" - then the President of the Chamber Roberto Fico resumed turning on and down through Italy, he flew to Berlin for the G7 Parliaments - where he talked about democracy, school, civics and social cohesion - he returned and restarted his electoral tour without stopping, despite being the most illustrious "victim" of grillina rule that prohibits the third term.

Neapolitan, 47 years old, with a degree in Communication Sciences, Fico began his career in 2005 announcing the birth of the meetup in his city on the “blog of the stars”; becomes a deputy in 2013; re-elected, holds the role of third state office in 2018; now he is preparing to leave Montecitorio for good, while continuing to engage in active politics. Today he will be in Cagliari with all the candidates and candidates of the 5 Star Sardinia Movement to meet the citizens.

A complex legislature closes, what were the darkest moments?

“These were difficult years, starting with the pandemic, which upset our society. Parliament has had to adapt, and let me say that it has done so in a commendable way. The Chamber has always remained open, it gave immediate answers by voting on the necessary health and economic measures. And it was a protagonist in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan ».

Regrets for some "unfinished"?

"For the law on the end of life, a minimum measure of civilization, expected by the country. There was a vote in the House but the law then did not get the go-ahead from the Senate. Compared to my work, on the other hand, I am satisfied, because I know I have always given my best. I am thinking, for example, of the advances on subtitling and lis, the language of signs. And the foundations have been laid to continue also in the future on key issues ».

He is not a candidate but he is running a very intense electoral campaign, what are the feelings of the people towards politics and the elections?

«I think it is right to bring my experience around Italy, telling what I did as President of the Chamber and what the 5 Star Movement did. In recent weeks I feel a growing interest. Of course, I think politics should do more to be close to the people ».

Is the M5S still successful in the squares? In the north you have practically disappeared.

«In recent days I have also been to the North and I have felt a lot of enthusiasm. I am confident that there will also be a good result there. In the South, on the other hand, the Movement can be the first party ».

How are the gaps in the South rebalanced?

“Certainly not with this proposal on differentiated autonomy they are talking about on the right. That is a reform that accentuates the gaps because it bases resources on the historical expenditure of local authorities. It is a dangerous reform. Instead, what must be done is to work alongside the Southern Regions so that the resources of the NRP are spent entirely and in the best possible way. And I am convinced that greater centrality must be given to municipalities, which must be supported to offer more efficient services to citizens ”.

Do you think that the recognition of insularity in the Constitution will give concrete results or will it remain only a beautiful principle?

“It is a fundamental element, for which the Sardinian parliamentarians have rightly fought. And I am also committed in the first person. But let's talk about a starting point ».

Is the citizenship income to be reformed?

«In the meantime, I claim the value of the citizenship income. It made it possible to support people in need. It is a social lifesaver that cannot be done without in a fair society. Suffice it to say that the German government has recently proposed to strengthen it. On the other hand, what we must work on in parallel is to review active labor policies, on that front we must intervene ».

Besides that, what are you leaving to the country and what do you want for the near future?

«The Movement is committed to ensuring greater social justice and has distinguished itself for the introduction of innovative measures in terms of the environment and energy efficiency. And we will continue on this path. We then approved the cut of the parliamentarians, a reform that had been talked about for decades and that the M5S has made a reality. We have introduced a serious anti-corruption law and embarked on a serious path towards an ecological transition which until now had been a marginal issue for Italian politics. Now one of the priorities is certainly the minimum wage by law and to systematize the superbonus, a measure that helps construction but above all reduces energy consumption, making us more free from those who sell us gas ».

How do you intervene against the expensive bills?

“First of all by helping citizens and businesses who have found themselves having to pay exaggerated figures. And the resources must be taken from those big companies that made extra profits during the pandemic, before and during this energy crisis and after. Whoever has had more is right to give something more ».

Are you afraid of a government with Prime Minister Meloni?

«I do not share the ideas and proposals of the Brothers of Italy. They want to cancel the citizenship income and have an ambiguous attitude about rights, I am thinking of abortion and homophobia. And then they carry out contradictory economic policies, which can make our country more fragile ».

So, are our sacrosanct rights at risk?

«I am sure that our society will defend them because they are acquired rights. And in any case, the elections have not yet taken place, it is wrong to think that the right has already won. It will be up to the Italians to choose ».

Is there still the possibility of a progressive front? How are relations with the Democratic Party?

"At the moment there are no conditions, the Democratic Party has chased a wide field in a clumsy way. The M5S, on the other hand, is pursuing a progressive and innovative program ».

What does Grillo say?

"Beppe is a volcano of ideas, and supports the path of the Movement with his role as guarantor".

What will Roberto Fico do after 25 September?

"I will continue to do politics, for my territory and for my country".

Cristina Cossu