“We’ve reached the final solution, a solution that will not only systematically demolish a State based on the Rule of Law, it is going to destroy the State, period.” Despite his composed mannerism, Antonio Ingroia, the magistrate who, in Palermo, is investigating the secrets behind mafia – state negotiations (the state with a small letter s), makes a series of dramatic statements. This, is the second and last day of a conference entitled: “ Morality and Institutions” organized by Euro-MP Luigi De Magistris ( represents Antonio Di Pietro’s political party IDV). The conference took place in Naples where, Nicola Cosentino, Governor “in pectore” has apparently been struck by heavy judiciary measures. As the neopolitan kermess comes to an end the vague concept of a a nation facing a democratic emergency becomes reality.
An obvious emergency to European eyes and to Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, president of the commission for Public Freedom of the European Parliament. Mr. Lopez Aguilar’s job is to assure judiciary cooperation between countries which are members of the European Union. He also supervises Silvio Berlusconi’s imposed concept of ‘media democracy’.
“Legislative power is sanctioned – reminds Lopez Aguilar – by the idea that we are all the same before the law and that special privileges cannot be granted to anyone. However, such principles are always under attack and therefore are never fully accomplished. The divorce between laws and the values that should support them is the cause of such an effect”. A perfect portrait of Berlusconi’s Italy. Lopez Aguilar recalls a “passionate” debate which took place during a meeting that “was not only discussed in italian”, and revolved around pluralism of information and freedom of speech: “Passionate because, the problem is not ‘just’ an italian problem. The debate goes much deeper and concerns the stability of democracy. Representative democracy risks being substituted by media democracy. Under a political profile, this is by far, the most effective definition of the characteristics of contemporary democracies.
Antonio Ingroia’s words shake the spectators as they rumble like thunder throughout the hall. “For decades Italy has been ruled according to the principle of self conservation of the ruling class, a class that does business with the mafia and also shares the same goals: impunity”. They reach these goals by taking away investigative tools from public prosecutors. “ There is no longer time to be neutral to such matters – states Ingroia – magistrates cannot fight mafia alone, a larger role must be given to society”.
Rosario Crocetta, once mayor of Gela and Euro-MP for the PD (democratic party) turns the reflectors on Naples and southern Italy. “ Is it possible that in Naples, a city drowning in garbage, governed by a ruling class who is devoted to doing the worst kind of business with organized crime, morality is reduced to a mere discussion about evading school and juvenile crime?” The mafia sentenced Crocetta to death for having placed obstacles along its path as well as for having fought against construction companies who were making illicit agreements for illegal purposes with organized crime. Today Crocetta lives between Brussels and Strasbourg without protection, a worrisome condition, to say the least. “I find this to be unique in a Europe which has obviously decided not to fight the war against mafia”.
Marco Cappato (radical party) stressed: “the perpetual attempt to dismantle the Constitution and IDV member, law professor Alberto Lucarelli proves the existence of an economically oriented mafia which has taken control of public companies. The idea is to run the companies by neglecting transparency and according to the principle of subdivision of titles.
The closing statements belong to Antonio Padellaro, editor for Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper.
Padellaro has something to say about values: “Today, it has become odd for journalism to report events based on facts as opposed to events which never took place. Lies should not become truth. This is only one of the values which should support our society. But, italian journalism is forever connected to a lie making machine”.
italian version
Vincenzo Iurillo (da Il Fatto Quotidiano del 8 novembre 2009)
italian version
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