Four years ago there was a victory that surpassed all expectations, a yellow tsunami that swept over Sardinia. Today the situation is very different. And in this round, the role of strength takes over in the name of “change”, Brothers of Italy seem to have grabbed them.
But Ettore Licheri, 59, speaker in the Senate of the 5-Star Movement, seems to be certain of one thing: the Grillina defeat announced in recent months “will not take place”. A lawyer from Sassari with a past also in the Federal Sports Prosecutor’s Office, he is on the field as leader in the large Senate for the party now led by Giuseppe Conte, who was a law professor in Florence in that 2018 triumph, almost on politics and unknown to most.
The last polls have given you a recovery, especially in the south. Will the elections surprise you?
“I believe that Giuseppe Conte best interprets the desire to protect, above all, citizens from the terrible crisis that will overwhelm us this winter. His voice is the voice of small VAT numbers, pensioners, young people, women ».
In any case, the result will be significantly lower than the triumph of 2018: where did you go wrong?
“The 5-star boom of 2018 was an event that no political force in the history of this country will see again. But if a movement like ours has never dropped below 10% at its lowest consensus point, that means it’s a candidate to be the only true popular progressive force in the country ».
How much has the movement changed after 4 years in government?
“It has matured after a profound transformation process. But we remain uncompromising on issues of justice, public ethics and the defense of the most vulnerable. And the citizens understood that: I think that’s the reason for the favorable polls of the last few weeks.”
Citizen Income, sure it shouldn’t at least be revised?
“Every law can be improved. But I find it really incredible that at a moment when we are experiencing a social emergency, with a million other poor people and very serious problems in the suburbs, there are those who are proposing to abolish the citizen income like Meloni and Renzi ».
You have always hesitated about sanctions against Russia and military aid to Ukraine, but what alternatives do you propose?
“We didn’t hesitate at all. We have always said that it is a duty to work towards a political solution to the war, and so far no one has done so with the right determination. Europe must gain its own strategic independence and become the spokesman for a concrete peace initiative. And all this on the basis of a multilateral conception of international relations that directly involves the United States, China and India. Let’s remember that this war is taking place in Europe and Europe will bear the greatest military and economic risks ».
Energy costs and skyrocketing inflation, a dramatic autumn-winter is on the horizon, how do you intend to act?
“Let me tell you that last December we were the first to talk about inflation and the energy crisis. On February 26th, inflation was 4.8%, the highest level since 1996, and the electricity bill was already +131%. Conte asked Draghi to intervene with strong and courageous measures, but he, and unfortunately our allies, thought of arms. It’s late now, the downward spiral is in full swing. Today in Europe we must raise a big voice, just as Giuseppe Conte did in 2020 when we were the country most affected by Covid. We need to replicate his guidelines for a new Energy Recovery Fund. If Conte succeeded, Draghi can also succeed, don’t you think?”
When Italy is not doing well, Sardinia is worse off and there are many emergencies: expensive bills, skyrocketing prices, school, work, transport. How do you avoid a meltdown?
“The NRP provides more than one and a half billion euros for Sardinia. An astronomical figure. But there is not enough money if there is no political class up to the task. I hope the Sardinians understood that they made a mistake by handing over hands and feet to the Northern League. The PNRR is a historic opportunity to reverse course and open a new season of rebuilding the island’s foundations, overcoming old welfare logics and intervening instead to create jobs and employment, and therefore sustainable and lasting development ».
The Sardinian health service seems to be an irreversible patient, what to do?
“In this case, too, the PNRR gives us 220 million, but this right-wing junta pulverizes them. If elected, I will formally request the appointment of an Extraordinary Commissioner. Sardinian health must be mandated, unfortunately there is no other remedy. The disasters of the management of the Sardinian League junta are in full view. If we wait a little longer, the ashes will remain».
Assuming a scenario like 2018, where no one has the numbers to govern: will you seek a deal with the Democratic Party?
“This is not the time to play with hypotheses. Unfortunately today the right, Enrico Letta, Salvini, the center have become one. We are on the other side, we present ourselves alone, with the pride of never having sold our soul to the devil ».
Massimo Ledda
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