«The battle against speculation in the renewable energy sector is a battle of common sense: respect for the environment must go hand in hand with the protection of work and the territory». Matteo Salvini arrives in Sardinia while mayors and committees begin to collect signatures to support the Pratobello law. The deputy prime minister and minister of Infrastructure will be this afternoon on Lake Coghinas, in Oschiri, to "check for himself" the status of the works on the Diana Bridge (recently reopened to traffic). Then in the evening he will present his book "Controvento, the Italy that does not give up" in Porto Rotondo, and tomorrow he will visit the maritime office of the Coast Guard in Santa Teresa Gallura.

Minister, the Island says no to the invasion of wind towers and photovoltaic panels.

«As I was saying, it's a question of common sense. Reasonableness is needed. It is also for this reason, for example, that the League strongly contests European green policies such as the cancellation of petrol and diesel engines from 2035. It is a favor to China which will damage European families and businesses without environmental improvements".

Everyone believes the production target from renewable sources set by the Ministry of the Environment of the Meloni Government is too high.

«I understand very well the doubts of the Sardinian citizens, I am sure that my colleague Pichetto Fratin will be able to choose with balance. As a convinced autonomist and defender of Sardinians and Sardinia, I share and support the battle for respect for this beautiful land, and the commitment of our regional councilor Alessandro Sorgia, always present in the area, demonstrates this. I hope that the current government majority in the Region also picks up on this sensitivity."

Territorial continuity: the department has launched a new tender for Alghero, after the first tender was unsuccessful. Will the procedure be closed by October?

«I strongly hope for this and we are working on it, the Ministry of Transport is committed and attentive to ensuring that the procedures are carried out on time and in accordance with the rules, so as to guarantee the constitutional right to mobility of Sardinian citizens».

In the meantime, we need to work on the new continuity, the one from 2025 onwards: will there be room for the single tariff for residents and tourists?

«We will have to activate all the necessary discussions with the Region to understand what, in concrete terms, are the proposals that will then have to be discussed at European level. Unfortunately, the EU has not proven to be a particular friend of Sardinia in terms of air continuity, but as always we will do our utmost to reach adequate solutions."

The Region now wants to sit at the table with F2i for the airport privatization and merger operation. You have always said you are against a possible monopoly: will the ministry intervene?

«As a convinced autonomist, I am very respectful of the indications of the territory and I am ready to listen to everyone, without prejudice. What I will not allow will be a step backwards for Sardinian citizens, who already pay more than other Italians for the right to mobility, and therefore also to study, work and health. If the concentration means higher costs for users, we will not stand idly by."

Autonomy: the centre-left regions, with Sardinia in the lead, are calling for a referendum. Will the reform be rejected?

«I really don't think so, let me say that I find it incredible that a region with an ancient autonomist tradition like Sardinia wants to prevent other territories from obtaining the rights that the island has had for some time, just due to the party prejudice of the Pd and Grillini. It is an absurd, disrespectful, anti-historical, centralist position: a slap in the face also to the Sardinians as well as to other Italians who would like to enjoy the advantages of autonomy."

The principle of insularity, included in the Constitution, still awaits implementation.

«We are ready, I hope that whoever leads the Sardinia Region, i.e. the left, is not too distracted by waging battles to take away rights from other territories instead of thinking about this splendid island».

Tonight he will be in Porto Rotondo, once the kingdom of Silvio Berlusconi. The children were lukewarm on the naming of Malpensa airport.

«I am proud of the naming of the great Lombardy airport after Silvio: a great entrepreneur, a great man of sport and television, a great politician and above all a great friend. I did what I promised, as I always try to do, and I'm not interested in fueling or responding to any kind of controversy. Silvio was in love with Sardinia, I miss him and many Italians miss him."

The visit to the island will also be an opportunity to take stock of the party leaders after the latest election results.

«For me, the defeat of the centre-right in the last regional elections means working even harder and better for Sardinia, so much so that as a League we are reorganizing ourselves and growing in many municipalities where we weren't there before. At the last European Championships we got more votes than at the recent regional elections: a defeat can serve to improve, with this spirit I work more than before to open construction sites and bring employment to Sardinia."

In the book he recounts his political battles, from the Strait Bridge to the defense of the borders from migrants: is there anything you wouldn't do or would do differently?

«The way I am, I would do everything again, including mistakes, because all my decisions were made with the conviction of doing the good of the country, not for personal interest or advantage. Of course, some experiences like the Draghi government went very differently from how we imagined them, but I'm used to looking forward. For Sardinia we have many projects ready, and a lot of money to invest, I hope that the Region will want to accompany these construction sites and this change, without stopping everything just to hinder what has been prepared and thought of by others".

Michele Ruffi

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