He thought about it: "If I said I didn't, I wouldn't be human." From a seat in the Chamber to a government post, the lights of the possible Roman limelight remained on for days on Paolo Truzzu, mayor of Cagliari and the leading soul of the Brothers of Italy on the island: «But the choice was simple. I made a commitment for my city and I intend to carry it out until the end of my mandate ».

Has anyone officially asked you to apply?

"The availability of those who have a visible role in the party was asked."

And she gave it?

«I made a choice of consistency that goes beyond my personal advantage. I decided to stay in Cagliari, in my city ».

Haven't even the polls so favorable for the Brothers of Italy convinced you?

"It certainly makes a certain effect to see where the party has arrived: we were born nine years ago with 2 per cent and now we are credited with a potential 20 per cent."

There is talk of six or seven Sardinian parliamentarians.

«There is the prospect of achieving an excellent result, with many spaces. A nice point of arrival for the party on the island ».

Is the idea of a government post true for you (if the center-right were to win)?

«I repeat: I have chosen Cagliari. If the center-right wins, however, it will be important to ensure that there is a local representative in the government. I will fight for this ».

Have you heard from Giorgia Meloni?

"I didn't speak directly with Giorgia, I spoke with other managers".

But you are the mayor of Cagliari.

“My office is high but I know how high yours is. There was no need to involve her, also because my decision was quick ».

It is not convenient for the party to leave the leadership of the capital of the island.

“This assessment obviously had to be done. And it was done ».

From a city governed by the Brothers of Italy to new elections: a leap in the dark with all the risks involved.

«Risks that will not take place because I remain in Cagliari until the end of my mandate. Then the voters will decide ».

Will he race again for Palazzo Bacaredda in 2024?

«We have gone through the long period of Covid in which many things have stopped. I have always said that I would like to complete the many programs launched, the many projects in the pipeline ».

Guy?

«The reunification of the city with its coastline immediately comes to mind: the Bonaria-Su Siccu-Fiera project. And then the stadium, via Roma, via Dante, viale Buoncammino. Many initiatives that will soon see the light ».

There is also waste.

“It is a problem that has various aspects. First good news: the new recycling center arrives in September. Second good news: most citizens do well with separate waste collection (we are the best regional capital at 74 percent) and respect the dignity of the city ».

What about the bad news?

«There are difficulties on the front of sweeping, of cleaning the streets. A question linked to the incivility of a few fringes of citizens, residents and non-residents ”.

Does the Municipality have no responsibility?

"For heaven's sake, there are defaillance, things to improve too. But a lot depends on people's behavior, on their civic sense. Nobody can say that the streets are not cleaned ».

Public lighting in fits and starts?

"There were problems with the maintenance of the systems but they have been solved".

Every weekend the historic center comes to terms with the malamovida.

“We are carrying out a preventive and repressive activity. We intervened with social policies in the younger groups. But there are many young and very young people who come from outside, from the hinterland and beyond. We can do preventive interventions on residents ».

Need more checks?

"There are many more policemen on the street than before, there has been a growth in the service and it is visible."

In fact, the fines are running out.

"When the policemen are few we complain, if there are many we complain all the same."

In a month we vote: what do you expect as mayor?

"I expect the center-right to win and also to have an adequate dialogue with the new government."

Didn't he have it before?

“I am the only mayor of a metropolitan city not related to the government. We did not have a privileged dialogue ».

However, the funds from the NRP arrived anyway.

"The 700 million we brought to the city we got without preferential lanes."

The government has not penalized you.

"The allocation of funds shows that our projects are absolutely credible."

What is the ultimate goal of the funds?

«The goal is to continue working to create a green city. More green areas, less waste and more valorised. An energy efficient city that does not waste important resources. At the same time, a city that leaves no one behind and can create opportunities for everyone. I will also fight to reach a real pact for Cagliari ».

Pact?

"That allows us, on the one hand to face the emergencies of the suburbs, the working-class neighborhoods, and on the other hand to look at the relaunch of the production system, focusing primarily on the industrial area and the canal port".

Giulio Zasso

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