by Paolo Loriga
Members of parliament and representatives of civil society discussed the need for a constructive relationship between institutions and the outside world. The development of the network of local administrators, founded in Trieste last July. The Mppu conference in Loppiano from 7 to 9 March.
It came out like this, almost like a joke. During the round table, the two parliamentarians mentioned that they travel together on the Grosseto-Rome train and back. The unusual fact is that Senator Silvio Franceschelli is a member of the Democratic Party, while Deputy Fabrizio Rossi is part of Fratelli d’Italia. And both have a history of deep militancy. The former was in fact provincial secretary of the PD in Siena and then president of the province (he is still mayor of Montalcino), while the latter was deputy mayor in Grosseto, FdI coordinator for the province of Grosseto and then regional coordinator for Tuscany. Well, all those trips (including delays) are an opportunity for discussion on the issues dealt with by the two branches of Parliament.
Different positions and sensitivities, but always calm, good manners and great respect. There was no better way to give substance, breadth and hope to the event on the theme ‘A policy of relationships to challenge the present, imagine the future’, organised at the Loppiano Auditorium from 7 to 9 March by the Movement for Politics and Policy for Unity in Italy (Mppu).With the two members of parliament, there was the Honourable Maria Elena Boschi, of Italia Viva , former minister of constitutional reform. Three representatives of civil society engaged on various fronts took part in the discussion, starting with the president of Azione Cattolica, Giuseppe Notarstefano, Marco Bentivogli, co-founder of Base Italia and expert in labour policies, and Argia Albanese, president of the Movimento politico per l’unità in Italia. These, together with a large group of leaders of associations and ecclesial movements, are reflecting on democracy and participation, a process that began in Trieste during the Catholic Social Week in July 2024.
In the frank debate, some differences of position emerged, but the intention and commitment to ‘recover’ – as has been emphasised – a virtuous relationship between politics and citizens, between institutions and vital worlds, contributing to an increasingly qualified participation’ was highlighted. ‘The phenomenon of growing abstentionism is also the consequence of a Parliament that is the place most in crisis in politics.’. Hence, “the need for the two Chambers to regain their authority and capacity for initiative and dialogue with society”.
A contribution full of new ideas emerged the following day, based on the progress of the so-called Rete di Trieste (Trieste Network). During the Social Week, the municipal, provincial and regional councillors present at the event expressed their desire to keep in touch with each other. The idea immediately caught on and now about 800 local administrators are connected. Francesco Russo, vice-president of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, is one of the initiators of this new development. He spoke about the meeting in Rome on 14th February last with over 400 local administrators and answered questions from those present on various aspects of the direction taken. For Russo, ‘The Trieste Network will be an open, inclusive and transversal space or it will have no reason to exist’. The conference then continued with in-depth discussions between the representatives of the regional centres of the MPPU.
‘Current political events,’ commented Argia Albanese, president of Mppu, ’underscore the urgency of resuming relations to mend the fabric of democracy in our country and in Europe, at an unexpected historical juncture that calls into question certainties and structures that were thought to be consolidated.’ And following on from the journey begun in Trieste, he emphasised ‘the commitment to live with contradictions and divisions with an open mind, avoiding polarised positions, bearing witness that Christian humanism in political action requires always putting the search for the common good first’.
