Poorly written regional laws, lacking legal soundness and rejected by the Constitutional Court, dismissed with irreverent tones by the regional president, who went so far as to call its rulings bizarre. A healthcare system in disarray, where the only sector that seems to function is the job-filling system, certainly efficient for the Campo largo parties, but disastrous for the Sardinians. Air travel is limited—except for the Labor Councilor who travels business class—and a territorial continuity that, according to the new tender, borders on the ridiculous. Even the serious errors in energy policies. The strongest opposition to Alessandra Todde and her majority comes from those who have been absent from the Regional Council for some time now. Pietro Pittalis, MP and regional secretary of Forza Italia, speaks of "a profound political crisis within the coalition governing Sardinia, and which inevitably affects the quality of the government's action. Businesses and families are unable to see any positive horizon, neither economically nor socially."
What is missing from government action?
"A comprehensive political project. Campo Largo is incapable of expressing a vision for Sardinia, nor a credible strategy for the island's future. And it is precisely this lack of vision that is the real problem the Sardinians are paying for every day."
Don't you think you're exaggerating?
The project is being questioned by the Democratic Party itself. Regional Secretary Silvio Lai's statements represent a resounding rejection of yet another propaganda stunt by the regional president. The Democratic Party, through its top leader in Sardinia, has reaffirmed a truth that Forza Italia has long denounced: healthcare is a serious matter and cannot be managed in snippets or as a mere accessory to political communication. The clear distancing from the president's continued work on healthcare governance certifies the failure of an improvised and irresponsible management, which is causing obvious harm to citizens.
What do you think about Todde's candidacy for the next regional elections?
In this case, the position taken by the Democratic Party secretary is even more significant. The proposal has been effectively shelved, postponed until the end of the legislature, marking an unequivocal political rejection. This stance speaks volumes about the state of relations between the two main parties in the broader coalition, and accurately reflects the confusion and tensions affecting the entire regional majority and the Five Star Movement's unwavering criticism of Alessandra Todde. The picture that emerges is worrying in many respects: a region governed by a divided coalition, incapable of expressing a common line and strategic vision, and lacking a dignified leadership.
And how's the center-right doing? Are they thinking about elections?
The center-right is witnessing the complete failure of its government on the island, particularly the regression and slippery slope in healthcare, transportation, energy, and agriculture. Just a few weeks ago, the president—and this is a political fact that cannot go unnoticed—removed the health commissioner, candidly admitting the failure of these first two years of her term. In short, a government that is navigating the seams, but the president is considering her next candidacy. This is the hallmark of a casual approach to public governance.
And the center-right, meanwhile?
It's meeting. We've established a regular monthly meeting to review the situation. From the opposition, we're preparing to assume government responsibility in the next elections, trying to avoid the mistakes of the past and identifying the right solutions to overcome the confusion and inertia into which this government and the left are pushing our island back.
Are you looking forward to the elections with confidence? Will your candidate necessarily be from FdI or Forza Italia?
A discussion about candidacies is absolutely premature. First of all, we need a clear, precise program, consisting of a few points, that offers a solution to the problems I mentioned. Within the center-right, there are many administrators and representatives of civil society who I believe could take on the role of coalition leader. But it's too early to think about that. In any case, it will be a shared candidate, one who has a thorough understanding of the problems of the Sardinians, who engages in dialogue, and who, for example, faced with a problem like the one posed by the Pratobello 24 committees, doesn't put up barriers, but rather is willing to engage and be open to finding solutions together.
This is a crucial time for healthcare and beyond. Do you think the opposition in the Regional Council is too soft?
"He's doing his job, which is certainly made difficult at times by the lack of action the Regional Council is proposing. We've also envisioned a strong synergy between minority groups to expose the weaknesses and inadequacy of the majority."
Unconstitutional commissioners appointed, and directors appointed immediately thereafter. Yet few batted an eyelid.
The governor cunningly made the appointments, all of which are illegitimate, during the holiday season. This creates a situation that risks fueling endless litigation and costing the regional coffers the damages that the ousted general managers will legitimately be able to claim. It's too easy to hide behind ad hoc legal opinions, as if the region didn't have good lawyers to provide all the necessary technical and legal support, not to mention the further waste of public resources, unprecedented in our region's history.
Will Sardinian prisons be overrun by mafia inmates? If so, what is Forza Italia doing to prevent it?
We need a truth-telling operation. President Todde and the Democratic Party have a short memory. Sardinian prisons, specifically the Badu 'e Carros prison in Nuoro, were the subject of a specific intervention in October 2020 by then-Minister of Justice Alfonso Bonafede, a Five Star Movement minister in the Conte government, where Todde served as Undersecretary of Economic Development. However, Bonafede signed a measure to provide the Nuoro prison with a dedicated section within the facility for inmates under the 41bis regime, ordering the related renovation and adaptation work. The minister's rationale at the time was to meet the prison management needs of 41bis inmates and ensure their proper distribution within the dedicated prison system. Therefore, today we need a lot of nerve, a dose of boundless shamelessness. In fact, the people who approved the arrival of mafia inmates in Nuoro were, coincidentally, the political faction of the regional president, of the Conte government, which also included the Democratic Party. There's the decree from October 2020. Anyone who wants can read it. The truth is that this whole controversy is fueled to create alarmism, spread fear and concern, and distract public opinion from the failures of the regional government.
But what is actually happening?
There will be no invasion of 41 bis prisoners in Sardinia because the number is extremely limited, in accordance with the redistribution envisaged in Bonafede's decree. Suffice it to say that less than a third of those destined for Alessandria will arrive on the island.
So is the alarmism unjustified?
Absolutely. And I'm sorry that the Bishop of Nuoro, in good faith, also fell for this misunderstanding and this information. He would do well to consult other political parties if he needs more precise and accurate data, rather than fake data.
Are you saying that Badu 'e Carros will not become a prison entirely dedicated to 41 bis prisoners?
"You're welcome. I spoke with the Undersecretary of Justice, Del Mastro delle Vedove: there will be a redistribution. As Bonafede planned. This government didn't make it up."
What do you think of the revenue dispute agreement signed with Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti? Does it meet Sardinian demands for compensation related to its insularity?
I think it's a good agreement, although I must say that it would have been a good opportunity to relaunch the issue of insularity and, on issues like transportation and mobility for Sardinians, to have guaranteed the necessary resources from the state. As was the case before the agreement between Renato Soru and Romano Prodi.
Referendum on career separation: How is Forza Italia organizing?
In Sardinia, committees have been formed to support the "yes" vote in the referendum on career separation. I have appointed Sergio Milia as coordinator of the committees that have already been established in all the provinces. We will now launch a series of initiatives, including those from outside the political parties, to support the "yes" vote, with the precise aim of demonstrating that this is not a battle against the judiciary but rather aimed at restoring citizens' trust in a fair, reliable, and high-quality justice system, against the degenerations of the factional system.