A psychodrama of absurdity in several acts that is bringing to light all the desire of the center left to obtain high positions and positions even when they are not in government. It is the “clinical” picture of the effects caused by the case that led Luca De Fusco to be appointed general director of the Teatro di Roma foundation just two days ago. A choice, legitimized by the majority (three out of five members) of the board of directors, which in reaction caused a series of metaphorical barricades to be erected in the progressive world. In which the only legitimate “culture” is one’s own. The controversy was once again hushed up by Capitolino Mayor Roberto Gualtieri: «I am disconcerted: an act of arrogance. A political arrogance that confirms its institutional deficit. To govern a foundation like the one in Rome, which manages three theaters, Argentina, India, Villa Torlonia, and to which Valle will be added, a theater director is needed and not a director like De Fusco.” But it doesn’t end there, as writes the mayor of
In the aftermath of his press conference, held together with councilor Natalia Di Iorio, the president of the theater foundation Francesco Siciliano also announces that he will take legal action. «Regarding the contracting of De Fusco, I was told that the board of directors, with an unprecedented attitude, decided to assign the power to sign the contract (with the new general director, ed.) to a member of the board other than me. I invited all councilors and mayors to intervene and desist from the purpose described above, otherwise all consequential actions will be evaluated.” After the threat of using stamped papers, the president sought by the Capitol argued about De Fusco’s salary: «What is even more serious is that it seems that the hypothesis of a five-year contract with 150 thousand euros in compensation (in addition to bonuses for directors). Such a choice would imply an objectively exorbitant decision compared to a normal three-year planning for any theater and, furthermore, would be disproportionate compared to any limit of reasonableness. De Fusco is a director and not a manager who comes from a theater, the one in Catania, absolutely comparable to the Theater in Rome in terms of turnover and from which he receives around 68,000 euros in compensation. The almost tripling of remuneration in relation to De Fusco’s reference value (accepted by him for the previous role) – commented Siciliano – therefore remains devoid of any justification”. However, at a legal level, as has already been reconstructed by Time, there would be no danger. «The session on January 15th was as if it had never been interrupted, in fact it continued for 48 hours. There is no point in getting lost in chatter, everything is permitted by article 12 of the statute which – stated the lawyer and member of the board of directors of the Teatro di Roma foundation Danilo Del Gaizo – regulates among other things the appointment of the general director “.
The so-called progressives did not limit themselves to just accusations. In the afternoon, a demonstration in front of the Teatro Argentina and an open letter as concrete gestures of dissent against De Fusco’s choice. In the letter, signed by several well-known faces close to the scene (including director Matteo Garrone, actors Elio Germano and Lino Mila, and Luca De Fusco’s salary as director of the Teatro di Roma (LaPresse) Guanciale foundation), we read : «It seems to us that, beyond any assessment of the regularity of what happened (…) the crucial issue is that a decision of this importance was taken without the presence of the representation of the city of Rome in the figures of the president (Siciliano , ed.) and councilor Di Iorio, representatives of the Municipality of Rome (…)». To the long list of accusations coming from the left, we must add those from Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein: «The right in government, whether national or regional, always has the same obsession: occupying positions, promoting friends, controlling the country’s articulations through its men. ”. Not a veiled criticism that was rejected by the sender by the president of the Chamber’s Culture committee, and great “accused”, Federico Mollicone (FdI): “De Fusco’s appointment is regular and voted on by the representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the Lazio Region , under the supervision of supervisory bodies”.
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
