The passing of Fabio Mussi, at 78 years old, takes me back thirty years, when he was the leader of the Pds in Montecitorio and I was a deputy of Alleanza Nazionale. Not only for the undeniable charisma of the man; not only for that irony he knew how to use with rare intelligence; but also for a sobriety and availability that were essential traits of his.
Few know that it was precisely thanks to Mussi that in 1996 I became president of the Rai supervisory commission. The center-right had lost the elections by the famous 24,000 votes of Prodi. The opposition was assigned the control commissions. The Udc had demanded in the coalition the designation of Ombretta Fumagalli Carulli, with several complaints. I told Fini that I was not okay with it and that I would try to overturn the decision. And he, skeptical, said, “if you manage…”. For me, that was like a pass.
I looked for and found Mussi in Montecitorio, in the Chamber. I looked at him and hissed: “Well done, these modern communists, the DC will continue to rule Rai thanks to you.” He stared at me with his lively gaze, asked for explanations, and shortly after the news leaked that the parliamentary majority was unwilling to approve that candidacy. Mario Landolfi, who knew everything, nicknamed him after Mussolini. Result: I was voted president of the Rai supervisory commission – although not by the Udc of my friend Follini who was on the commission, and I became president on behalf of the minority.
The classic parliamentary maneuver that went well, I can say today. But about Mussi, who was a proud communist of another era, it is necessary to remember in that parliamentary season how he held the helm of the largest majority party in a moment of great difficulty precisely during the Prodi government. His speeches in the chamber were listened to in religious silence by all, because he knew how to speak to the minds of his colleagues.
Fierce when it came to lashing out at the opponent, soft when it was his own who put him in difficulty. Above all, he was a serious person, strong also because of his culture: that degree from the Normale di Pisa was a source of pride full of honor…
He too has gone away and from his old comrades a chorus of tears. Sincere, we can say, as not hypocritical is also the mourning recorded on the right. Mussi was a champion of politics and credit must be given to him. He knew how to contribute to the construction of a proud left and anyone who opposed him can only acknowledge it. Above all, an honest person. And in this and that politics, it is a quality that has not belonged to everyone. He passed away in a Roman hospital and it seems incredible that with his verve he could be unwell. We remember him with unchanged sympathy. Mutual, I believe.
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