What was Franciscu Sedda, President Alessandra Todde's advisor and "expert in the Sardinian language and autonomism," doing in China? The question was asked, also announcing a question, by Corrado Meloni, regional councilor for the Brothers of Italy party. An initial response comes from the party's own spokesman: Sedda writes that the attack against him is "a new attempt, both clever and clumsy, by Sardinian Italian nationalists to attack those who represent Sardinian independence." Furthermore, Sedda, reeling off a substantial resume, challenges his detractors "to find someone better than me who could give substance to an international mission of this magnitude." In short, it couldn't have been better.

Meloni's attack

The controversial journey took place in recent days on an institutional mission led by Transport Councillor Barbara Manca to the Chinese province of Sichuan.

"We're talking about an official mission dedicated to transportation, smart mobility, logistics, and technological innovation. These are highly specialized topics," Meloni attacks, "and the presence of a political and cultural advisor to the regional presidency is jarring. His expertise appears far removed from the stated objectives of the trip." For the FdI representative, "it's legitimate to ask what technical or institutional contribution Sedda provided during the meetings with airlines, technology companies, and Chinese authorities. Because Sardinian citizens have the right to know whether this mission truly served to create concrete opportunities for Sardinia or whether it turned into yet another international platform at taxpayers' expense."

Sedda's reply

When Sedda, a member of A Innantis, was implicated, he responded on social media: "I must admit that until now I hadn't realized that the Honorable Corrado Meloni of the Brothers of Italy party was in the Council. The quality of the attack against me made me understand why."

Having underlined the "centralist" nature of the attack, the president's advisor continues: "The regional delegation in China's first objective was to meet with the Directorate of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Sichuan Province and present Sardinia from an identity and cultural perspective. I did so to everyone's great satisfaction," Sedda assures. Fortunately, he continues, "the team in China was small but well-rounded, and the work was a success. This was greatly appreciated by all the stakeholders we met, who, among other things, openly praised my knowledge of Sichuan and Chinese culture."

That said, "I think this is a good opportunity to challenge Meloni and all those like him to find someone better than me who could lend substance to an international mission of this magnitude." And then there's the list of qualifications and professional experience: Sedda's list is long. "Well, based on this," he adds, turning to Meloni, "can you find me someone with a better CV to go and present Sardinia in China to the Deputy Director General of the Department of Culture of a province with 8 million inhabitants and 6 UNESCO sites?"

The counter-reply

"If an institutional question is so annoying, perhaps it's a sign he's hit the nail on the head," is Corrado Meloni's latest comment. He adds: "No one doubts his resume, his skills, or his cultural background. Of course not. However, a little less self-celebration and self-referentiality would be helpful. Because there's a difference between presenting oneself as the best in the business and turning every criticism into an attack on Sardinia's independence movement. The political point, in fact, remains very simple: Professor Sedda has not been appointed regional councilor for culture or minister plenipotentiary for Sardinia in the world. He is an advisor to the presidency. A technical role," according to Meloni, "and for this very reason perhaps he should avoid confusing the technical with the political, using institutional missions to fuel constant personal representations of his own role."

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