Di Stasi, new Democratic Party secretary: "The PD must act like the PD. The Bazzano case shows that the party is autonomous"

"The provincial PD is autonomous . And the case of the Bazzano emergency room has demonstrated it...". Enrico Di Stasi , who yesterday was officially the new secretary of the Bologna PD, claims the role of the party as a "spur" of the administrations. Appointed by the provincial PD assembly to the Casa dei Popoli in Casalecchio together with the provincial management, he has already made clear as secretary in pectore, the new course of the party, bringing support to PD mayors and citizens in revolt to stop the Region's choice to downsize the health facility in Bazzano.

With the pact signed by the ASL and the unions, the Emergency Room is (for now) safe. Is this your first victory as secretary?

"A concertative model that involves discussion with the unions and the administration has won. The role of the Democratic Party is to reactivate this type of path, involving more institutions and social parties. I am already satisfied with this".

Don't you think it's a short circuit, the Democratic Party against the Democratic Party? The Region is governed by your party...

"I have a hard time talking about a short circuit since I am involved. The role of the Democratic Party is to stand by the citizens, even if the administrations are sisters. The Democratic Party has a different role from the institutions: it is autonomous".

Aren't you afraid that the Region will revisit the Bazzano dossier in the autumn?

"It is not up to me to say what the Region will do, I am the Democratic Party. And I reiterate, as secretary, that the first issue to focus on is precisely the state of health of public health , given that health does not seem to be the priority of this government. However, for me, reorganization must not rhyme with cuts".

But have you heard from de Pascale about the "Bazzano case"?

"Of course. We also worked on this issue with Councillor Massimo Fabi and the mayors of the area."

She claims the autonomy of the Democratic Party, but she is part of Lepore's staff in the Metropolitan City and sits on the board of directors of Hera...

"My role as secretary is not in contradiction with what I have been doing for a living for 15 years. But I am available with the mayor and the party to discuss my roles. Then we know what the state of the PD's coffers is and the difficulties that parties have in maintaining their own leadership groups. I will not receive the salary of secretary of the PD, just as Federica Mazzoni did not receive it. But I am 47 years old and I have to think about my professional future. I will not be a secretary with a long perspective, I am a young person who needs to be trained...".

Regarding the cuts to the clubs, what is the outlook?

"The territorial party has rolled up its sleeves, we have reduced the circles, it's true, and every year we will do a check. Let's not forget that we are the province with the most circles in Italy".

Will the Democratic Party go beyond its Bologna-centric approach?

"I come from the province, I believe in metropolitan Bologna which has a million inhabitants".

Will there be a balance between progressives and reformists in the governing bodies? "Yes, but the secretary will be guaranteed a majority. The secretariat will be unitary with a balance of gender, generation, territory and political visions".

According to rumors, he will have a female vice president... Confirmation?

"I wouldn't have any problem. But the arrangements will be decided in the next few days."

Lepore is halfway through his term, de Pascale is at the beginning. What is your assessment?

"The city is well administered, but it is clear that the construction sites and the speed that the mayor has impressed on the administration forces and stimulates the Democratic Party to a more active role. For de Pascale, only six months have passed, but I see a great commitment".

Thinking about the Lepore administration and the 2027 vote, how do you see the delicate issue of mobility from the Passante to the tram construction sites and what role will the Democratic Party have?

"The Democratic Party must not only be the armed wing of the administrations, but must support them and be an antenna of the citizens' moods even when the climate is not easy. The Democratic Party must be the Democratic Party, with an autonomous role and as a goad to solve problems. A bit like the Democratic Party of the Navile on the issue of the Marconi noise. On the Passante I have no doubts: starting from scratch is not possible...".