Lepore's Balance Sheet, the Right Makes Another Movie: "Advertisement Without Self-Criticism. Three Years of Gaffes and Disasters"

Bologna, May 22, 2025 – Mayor Matteo Lepore 's colorful Bologna is tinged with black and white on the opposition benches. And if Lepore is booking an encore , the center-right with a view to 2027 is waiting for the moment, although a political candidacy rather than a civic one seems to be gaining traction. Certainly, the blue regional councilor Valentina Castaldini sees another film: "The mayor makes a self-celebratory narrative, devoid of self-criticism and far from reality. Lepore talks about the 'Coppa Italia', but for the people of Bologna the real trophy, today, is being able to take their children to school on time, get to work without getting stuck in traffic, and return home in the evening without having to deal with constant inconveniences. Instead of launching his re-candidacy well in advance, he should provide concrete answers to the open problems, without blaming previous administrations or the government for what is wrong".

Nicola Stanzani , councilor of Forza Italia, gives her a strong hand, with the party's city secretary Lanfranco Massari : "Regarding the umpteenth super spot at the expense of taxpayers and signed by the Municipality, someone should remind Lepore that the body that has the honor (and should have the burden) of administering should serve him, not use him for election campaigns...". The group leader of Fratelli d'Italia in Comune, Francesca Scarano , rejects Lepore's midterm budget: "The mayor is running again despite the disasters he has suffered in these years at the helm of the city. The tram construction sites, already marked by accidents on the tracks, are paralyzing entire neighborhoods and causing damage to shopkeepers. The increase in public transport tickets and rates for outdoor seating have been a slap in the face to families and business owners". The Melonian, then, attacks the mayor also politically: "He has collected an embarrassing series of institutional gaffes that are not appropriate for a mayor", she says referring for example to the case of the Palestinian flag hanging from the balcony of Palazzo d'Accursio. The FdI MEP Stefano Cavedagna also criticizes Lepore , pointing the finger at the management of security: "On Piazza XX Settembre he is not telling the truth. The work done is thanks to Ascom. In addition, the Municipality already benefits from funds from the Ministry of the Interior for the security and liveability of the areas, so not only is Lepore lying when he says that the government must do its part, but he is doing it in bad faith".

Lega Nord's Matteo Di Benedetto is certain that Bologna is contestable: "We are convinced that the citizens will decide to send him home, since he is bringing the city to its knees."

Gian Marco De Biase (at Centro Bologna) speaks of "schizophrenic choices" referring to the step back on the Besta: "Lepore makes a decision and then gets scared by a small group of rebels". Same line from Samuela Quercioli (Bologna ci Piace): "It's time for a change: the city and the people of Bologna must return to the centre of local politics". Lepore's former challenger, Fabio Battistini, closes by hammering the tram: "I claim the right to repeat that these works are a disgrace".

ros. carb.