Former Ilva steelworks, tensions over the new plan. Taranto Mayor Piero Bitetti resigns after a month.

Taranto Mayor Piero Bitetti , elected in June, resigned this evening. Late this afternoon, he had met with representatives of environmental associations and other civil society groups regarding the inter-institutional program agreement on the former Ilva steelworks, which is on the agenda of the city council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 30th. Meanwhile, residents protesting the agreement were demonstrating in the square in front of the town hall.

Immediately after the meeting with the association representatives, the mayor himself was reportedly approached by some individuals who entered the entrance hall of the City Hall, leading to protests and moments of tension. The slogans also targeted the President of the Puglia Region , Michele Emiliano . This reportedly led to the decision to resign. Bitetti now has 20 days to withdraw his resignation.