«I feel obliged to clarify the reasons why I did not express, many months ago, my desire to run for leadership of the Basilicata Region. I read some reconstructions, which in my opinion make no sense, but which always start from a fundamental departure that for me is unacceptable: what it meant and what were the consequences of having been Minister of Health during the Covid 19 pandemic”. So Roberto Speranza in a post on Fn. «Whoever at these times associated my name with the candidacy for President of the Basilicata Region takes away the weight of the responsibility that I carried on my shoulders during the more than three years of my mandate, which was also followed by a sensational judicial investigation. It is no coincidence that during my term as Minister of Health there were 4 French ministers, 3 ministers from Great Britain and 2 from Germany. It was an unimaginable workload, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no interruptions in the daily decisions that affected the daily lives of millions of Italians. This story cannot be removed. And the incessant work I have done, giving my all, cannot be underestimated.” «In June 2023 I led the Articolo Uno community to join Elly Schlein’s new PD that I supported at the February congress. From that moment on I am a simple opposition deputy. I did not request any position, neither at party level nor at group or commission level. To those who talk about “generosity”, I would like to remind you that the price that my loved ones and I paid for the commitment of the Covid years was very high and unfortunately it has not yet ended.”
«I am sorry to be forced to speak publicly about this, it would not be in my nature to do so, but I believe that today it is necessary – continues Speranza – to understand the situation. The death threats and daily insults from the shards of the anti-vaccine galaxy continue unabated. There is constant incitement to personal hatred on social media and also from a limited but very vocal sector of the publishing world. This climate, which has worsened even further since the parliamentary commission of inquiry into Covid was announced, still forces me to live under surveillance with all that this implies for me and my loved ones.” «With these arguments, essentially of a personal nature, I asked the two leaders of the Democratic Party and 5 Estrelas not to consider my availability to run for leadership of the Region in the next April elections. I also did it out of respect for the land I love, my Basilicata. Whoever applies to lead it must be ready to give their all, 24 hours a day, putting this role before any other thoughts or concerns. Just as I did over the years as a minister. Running to lead a region is a life choice that requires total commitment. I find it offensive to think about a part-time job, as some seem to suggest.” «These are reasons that I believe deserve respect. To these considerations that for me are essential, I add another non-trivial one. I was elected just 1 year and a half ago to the Chamber of Deputies, making a pact with the voters of the Naples constituency who placed their trust in me. I always found it surreal to jump from one candidacy to another in such a short time, as if the institutions were taxis to move from one position to another without caring about the popular mandate. It’s not my way of serving institutions. I hope these few lines help clarify the meaning of my choices.”
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.
