A passion for politics born as a boy, which over time led him to become personally involved, leading to his candidacy for mayor of Pavia, where he arrived from Sardinia during his university days. Michele Lissia, 42 years old, born in Tempio Pausania and raised in Calangianus, was chosen by the Democratic Party and by other lists (M5s, Azione, Italia Viva, Alleanza Verdi Sinistra, plus three civic ones) to represent a "wide field" that proposes to lead the town of 72 thousand inhabitants, challenging Alessandro Cantoni, Paolo Walter Cattaneo, Francesco Grisolia and Francesco Signorelli in the race. In him, he explains, "they probably saw a person who has always worked hard to unite, because this is the meaning of our electoral campaign, that of a mayor who unites."
Other qualities?
«I think I have always been available, in support of all the efforts made to respect the values we share, and also quite diplomatic».
Qualities that have to do with his Sardinian origins?
«Probably yes, like the pride in carrying forward political battles, and also loyalty. I believe that Sardinians have a peculiar characteristic, which is that of generosity, that of making themselves available. The Calangian people, like me, are sometimes considered "singular", but certainly generous."
When and why did you decide to run for mayor?
«Politics has always been part of my life, before I wrote for a newspaper in Pavia, “Il Ticino”, I had a column called “The little theater of politics”, I followed it at a national level, ten years ago I committed myself in first person. I was a city councilor, then deputy group leader of the Democratic Party, group leader, and city secretary of the party. The intent was to build a united center-left that could count on the presence of all the forces that recognize themselves in progressive values."
What is politics for you?
«Being interested on the one hand and representing the people on the other. Those involved in politics make decisions that affect the community and make themselves available to others. This has been the greatest lesson over the years."
Is politics still a passion? Or is it more of a status?
«For me it's passion. I am a company manager, a very demanding job, and I do it in a phase in which dedicating myself to politics means avoiding a series of tasks. But true passion gives a lot of emotional gratification and satisfaction when you manage to do something concrete for those who need it."
Why the Democratic Party? What values do you share?
«Being a party that adheres to the Constitution without ambiguity or hesitation and which should make values such as work, health, environment and care for people the points of reference and pre-eminent, not least fighting against discrimination».
What did you and Elly Schlein say when you met?
«His presence in Pavia was a resounding success, there were around 350 people in the room, another 250 had to stay outside. He said that in Pavia he considers this work of our union emblematic, to be taken as an example, because often in the centre-left we split up over personalisms which then do not reach the main objective and are not credible".
<p>Michele Lissia with Elly Schlein (photo courtesy)</p>And with other big national players?
«Carlo Calenda came to support my candidacy and explained that he wanted to embrace this project by recognizing the competence of people. Then Stefano Bonaccini, Chiara Appendino, Mara Carfagna, Mariastella Gelmini, Cecilia Strada, Beppe Sala will also come on Friday. In short, this project is viewed favorably."
What are the main problems of Pavia?
«In recent years we have noticed little care for the city; cleanliness and decorum have worsened, the abandonment of some fringes of the population, such as the most fragile ones. Social services have suffered a decrease in quantity and quality. And then the historical issues such as culture, sport, a lack of programming. All this has resulted in an increasingly "dry" city, some sports facilities have remained closed because they were let go, without maintenance. I say we need a new sense of community. And integration factors such as sport and culture, regenerating abandoned areas, those that were previously industrialized and are now like "black holes".
The first things he will do if elected.
«Two investments: the one on the Folperti swimming pool to reopen it, and the construction of the middle school in Pavia Ovest, which allows us to have a modern structure and to talk about mobility by placing local services in each neighbourhood, a mobility built from the bottom giving opportunities and family services".
What differences do you see between Pavia and the Sardinian province?
«In Pavia I found a welcoming city and this is demonstrated by the fact that they have identified me as one of their representatives, the citizens are cautious in their judgements, then they tend to give you everything they have, an aspect that I have partly seen in my homeland : first a thread of distrust then the Sardinians give you their heart."
<p>Michele Lissia (photo courtesy)</p>Work, safety and health are the themes of every electoral campaign. What do you think is the current state in Italy?
«In the meantime, we need to guarantee the main instrument of social inclusion, which is work, on which our Constitution is based, which counts this word 17 times, it is an element that allows everyone to feel like they participate. We need to insist a lot on job creation, in Italy there is a lot to do. Regarding healthcare, Pavia has a particular situation and enjoys excellent structures. But in general it is a sector that has been defunded in Italy in recent years, the percentage of GDP dedicated to healthcare is decreasing, and this creates problems: not everyone can receive treatment in a reasonable time, waiting lists are getting longer and only those who have the money can go private. Everyone's effort, I think, should be to dedicate more resources to this area."
Safety?
«I start from an idea: when the State guarantees care for the poor, aid for those in difficulty or suffering from mental distress, for unaccompanied minors, for the homeless, it can have a more stable social framework and there is a smaller portion of the population prone to social deviance. It's not simple, but Pavia proves it: by strengthening social security today we are only faced with episodes of petty crime."
Like the one you were personally involved in.
"Also. I was walking in a street in the center when I saw a police officer chasing a boy - I later discovered he was a 20-year-old of Egyptian origin -. I found myself in front of this young man, I realized that he had stolen something, I ordered him to stop, I reassured him by explaining that if he returned that object, which later turned out to be a chain, everything would be fine. The police arrested him and he was immediately sentenced to one year. This is a homeless person who has fallen into this illegal behavior, but I say this not to justify it. He didn't resist, I almost had more difficulty containing two vigilantes who perhaps wanted to take justice into their own hands."
After all, you were a sportsman.
«I was a boxer when I was young, when I was in Calangianus, I was also a Sardinian champion and an inter-regional champion».
What do the polls say about Michele Lissia, mayor?
«They are positive, I say this with some caution. We certainly have a good climate, an air of trust, I see it from the people who stop me on the street, who believe in this new beginning."
What will be most important for voting?
«Let young people go and exercise their right, unfortunately they are often the most alien to political participation».
