A new judicial earthquake in Bari causes the breakup of the Pd-M5s broad camp .

Alessandro Cataldo, the husband of the regional transport councilor of the Democratic Party Anita Maurodinoia ("lady preferences") investigated in the investigation (she resigned from her position in the Region and from the Democratic Party) and the mayor of Triggiano, Antonio Donatelli, were arrested for association aimed at electoral corruption.

According to the accusation , votes were bought for 50 euros , preferences which were also "purchased" for the election of Maurodinoia in the regional council of Puglia.

And Giuseppe Conte called a press conference: « There are no longer the conditions to hold the primaries in Bari, we believe that the reasons that led us to support the candidate Laforgia remain unchanged. In fact, they are getting stronger ."

«To the first judicial investigation, a second one is added today - explained Conte - in which the vote swapping, the pollution of the vote emerges, something that we have been denouncing for some time. We will also discuss with the other political and civic forces of the coalition to try to tackle the electoral campaign for Bari in the name of a new beginning , of a strengthening of the safeguards of legality, of maximum transparency".

The former prime minister underlined that «in the 5 Star Movement the objective of legality, transparency, the fight against any form of corruption and pollution of the vote, the fight against clans and mafias, is an indispensable premise to be able to make a contribution politic . If this premise is not there we are not there. We've said it from the beginning. Therefore, we will try to continue working with the other forces, but demanding the maximum guarantees so that these conditions exist.

Will you go to the elections divided? «No - he replied - we are for the spirit of unity. I have already anticipated this determination of ours to other political leaders and therefore we will explain this decision of ours more fully to the population of Bari."

The response from Democratic Party "sources" arrived by return post: «Conte's choice to exit the primaries is incomprehensible . If the 5 Star Movement thinks it can win on its own against the right, go ahead. But have respect for the city of Bari, for the center-left voters and don't think of giving morality lessons to anyone . The Democratic Party remains alongside Bari which has already demonstrated how important the Democratic Party is as a safeguard of legality and good administration. We are certain that the Democratic Party together with the center-left will win the elections again against this right."

Maria Elena Boschi also points the finger at Conte : «He distances himself from the vote-swapping scandal but doesn't say a word about the real political fact. The 5 Star Movement - unlike Italia Viva - is part of Michele Emiliano's majority. The grillini are an integral part of the Emilian system, we are not. The question I ask Conte is simple: instead of leaving the Bari primaries, why doesn't Emiliano leave the council? ».

(Unioneonline/L)

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