The map is constantly evolving. And for the PD, the “Campania issue” is becoming a big headache. Where “issue” means the string of dissolutions of municipalities “led by the PD or driven by the PD,” as former Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, now head of the opposition in the regional council, says, due to infiltrations by organized crime.
It was precisely Sangiuliano this week, together with other local center-right representatives, who publicly denounced the double standards of the left in this story. That is, “making anti-mafia a banner” at the national level “and then turning a blind eye to what happens in Campania.” Where in a short time four administrations have been dissolved: Castellammare di Stabia (60,000 inhabitants); Torre Annunziata (50,000); Pagani (35,000); Sarno (31,000). Some for the second time in four years (Castellammare and Torre Annunziata). As if that were not enough, in Ercolano, Portici, and San Giuseppe Vesuviano (already dissolved in 2022), some city councilors and administrators were “caught” in, let’s say, compromising circumstances.
PD, shock in Ercolano: the Dem club celebrates with a man of the Camorra
Big trouble in Ercolano. This is the plot of the new troubles that the Democratic Party is facing in Campan…
PARTIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The first case was raised by NapoliToday, which released a video showing some Dem figures – councilors Marco Cozzolino and Nancy Scognamiglio – at an election celebration dinner together with someone local newspapers defined as “a convicted drug trafficker,” namely Natale Suarino, whom the local PD later admitted in a statement to be “a man linked to the Suarino Camorra clan.” A convivial occasion in which Cozzolino’s brother, Antonello, secretary of the city party, also appears. Result: PD section placed under administration, councilors and city secretary self-suspended from the party, and a freshly victorious majority already on the grill.
As for Portici, Senator Sergio Rastrelli (Brothers of Italy), secretary of the Parliamentary Anti-Mafia Commission, has called to “shed full light,” and “urgently,” on the deputy mayor, Ciro Di Martino, regarding “some information concerning personal relationships between the new deputy mayor and individuals who, in the past, were involved, also due to links with Camorra clans, in judicial matters.” And then there is San Giuseppe Vesuviano, where this time the attack came from Fulvio Martusciello, regional secretary of Forza Italia in Campania. The target is Antonio Borriello, also deputy mayor, whose relative allegedly organized a party attended by, along with members of the municipal administration, also “people linked to organized crime environments.” Hence the request to send an access commission.
THE VICINANZA CASE
The case that probably embarrasses the Nazareno the most, however, is that of Castellammare. And not only because of the second consecutive dissolution in just four years for “influence of organized crime.” In the background is an internal struggle among the Dems that saw the now former mayor, Luigi Vicinanza – former director of L’Espresso – bring into play, regarding the incriminated lists, both the regional party secretary, Piero De Luca, and the national secretariat itself. “He said that the electoral lists had been countersigned,” recalls Sangiuliano. In other words: the problem is now national and Elly Schlein cannot pretend nothing is happening. “When penetration occurs so widely, thoroughly, affecting such large cities, it means there is a system. And mafias go towards those who have power.” Yesterday Sandro Ruotolo, Dem MEP, tried to respond: “Usual propaganda. Mafia infiltrations have no political color.” The former socialist deputy Felice Iossa, president of Socialism Today, gave a sharp reply: “Ruotolo did not get a single vote and destroyed the PD. It is a disgrace.”
Rastrelli, during the press conference in which the center-right denounced the PD’s “Campania issue,” estimated that over 10% of the regional municipalities are at risk of dissolution due to infiltrations, “a percentage absolutely outside the national average.” In short, the more days pass, the clearer what Marta Schifone, Campanian deputy of Brothers of Italy, calls “the map of shame of the PD” becomes. Like Sangiuliano, she lines up the coincidences: “Three Vesuvian municipalities a few kilometers apart, with more than 150,000 inhabitants. Six weeks. One common thread: center-left administrations led by the PD.” Yet Elly, usually talkative, remains silent. “A deafening and disturbing silence.”
Castellamare di Stabia, municipality dissolved for Camorra. The former mayor attacks Schlein and Ruotolo
The dissolution of the Municipality of Castellammare di Stabia for Camorra infiltrations has triggered a violent showdown…
