"The past year was full of important political and institutional events". This was stated by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, in the traditional end-of-year message to unified networks, underlining «the clear electoral result allowed the rapid birth of the new government, led, for the first time, by a woman. This is a novelty of great social and cultural significance, which has been mature in our country for some time and has now become a reality ».

UKRAINE – Mattarella also spoke of the war in Ukraine: «We are waiting to welcome the new year but even in these hours our thoughts cannot distract us from the war that is bloodying our continent. 2022 was the year of the crazy war unleashed by the Russian Federation. The response from Italy, Europe and the West was full support for the attacked country and for the Ukrainian people, who are courageously defending their freedom and rights», said the head of state, hoping that the may the new year be "the year of the end of hostilities, of the silence of arms, of the cessation of this inhuman trail of blood, of deaths, of suffering".

“Let's think about it – added Mattarella – if the aggression were successful, others would follow it, with other wars, from unpredictable borders. We do not resign ourselves to this present. This can't be the future."

The president then recalled the battle for rights in Iran and congratulated Pope Francis, at the same time remembering Joseph Ratzinger , who died on the morning of December 31st.

COVID - "We have learned lessons from Covid - unfortunately not yet definitively defeated -" said Mattarella. «We have understood – he added – that science, civil institutions, concrete solidarity are precious resources of a community, and the more they are effective the more they are able to integrate, to support each other. The more they produce trust and responsibility in people».

"It is necessary - he continued - to work so that the irreplaceable garrison of unity of the country represented by the National Health Service is strengthened, increasingly placing the person and his concrete needs at the centre, in the area in which he lives".

THE REPUBLIC – «The Republic – Mattarella then underlined – is all of us. Together. The State in its articulations, the Regions, the Municipalities, the Provinces. The institutions, the Government, the Parliament. Women and men who work in public administration. Intermediate bodies, associations. The vitality of the third sector, the generosity of volunteering. The Republic - our homeland - is made up of women and men who are committed to their families. The Republic is in the civic sense of those who pay taxes because this serves to make Italy work and therefore for the common good. The Republic is in the sacrifice of those who, wearing a uniform, risk to ensure everyone's safety. In Italy as in many international missions».

ENVIRONMENT – There was also a passage on the environment: «Securing the planet, and therefore the future of humanity, means tackling the energy transition concretely. Energy is what allows our societies to live and progress. The complex work required to switch from traditional, polluting and harmful sources to renewable energy represents the new frontier of our economic systems. It is no coincidence that on these issues, and in particular for the affirmation of a new ecological culture, we see the mobilization of many young people».

YOUNG PEOPLE – The president also made a direct appeal to young people: “We are all affected by the tragedy of the many deaths on the roads. Too many kids lose their lives at night in car accidents, due to speed, lightness, alcohol or drug consumption. When you drive, your life and the lives of others are in your hands. Don't destroy it for a moment of imprudence. Don't cancel your future."

«Dear fellow citizens – concluded the president – let's look to tomorrow with a new look. Let's look to tomorrow with the eyes of young people. We look at their faces, we collect their hopes and make them our own».

(Unioneonline/lf)

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