Conversation of Paola Sacchi with Stefania Craxi, daughter of Bettino and senator for Forza Italia
“For 22 years I have had only one thought: to consign Bettino Craxi to the positive history of this country. He said: as long as I’m alive I defend myself, but as a dead person who will defend me
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She is talking about Stefania Craxi, daughter of the socialist statesman, senator of Forza Italia, vice president of the Foreign Affairs commission, on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of her father in Hammamet on January 19, 2000, at the age of 65. An anniversary close to the quirinal elections.
On the hypothesis of Silvio Berlusconi al Colle, you say: “From the sinister lack of respect, your licenses of legitimacy are no longer tolerable”.Senator Craxi, and the 22nd anniversary of the death of her father Bettino, statesman, prime minister of the longest-serving government of the First Republic, leader of the PSI. Anniversary again this year, due to Covid, without the Craxi Foundation delegation to the Christian cemetery of Hammamet. What is your thought today
For 22 years I have had only one thought: to consign Craxi’s figure to the positive history of this country, to allow pages of truth to be written on his human and political story, studded with lies, injustices and falsehoods. Once he said: “As long as I am alive I defend myself, but when I am dead who will defend me
»For me, not only as a daughter – and I want to emphasize this – it was natural to undertake a battle of truth. As for the celebrations, I hope, I hope, that next year the health emergency can be definitively closed so that many Italians – and not only – will be able to return to Hammamet … but this also depends on us, if we are able to ask ourselves the theme of supporting realities such as Tunisia… for this reason allow me a Craxian reflection… Please.
It is only partially true that the pandemic knows no geographic and income differences. As the story of vaccines shows – or even internally, for example, the differences between self-employed and dependent jobs, especially public ones – the pandemic sharpens the gaps, specifically between “poor” and “rich” countries, but also between them powers. It is a crucial issue which, as Craxi understands, places us before the need to support developing realities. If we want to get out of the pandemic soon, we must redouble our efforts and ensure, for example, more vaccines for all. As Italy and as Europe we must support even more strongly the realities of the Mediterranean area such as Tunisia …The 22nd anniversary takes place close to the first vote set for next Monday for the election of the Head of State. And in the midst of a great debate in which politics seems to be struggling. What is the lesson that Craxi has left even in the face of such a crucial deadline
What is politics. We need this stranger! Like respect for people and their stories… an unacceptable daily trickle is consumed in print and in talks! In any case, this election of the President of the Republic, should confirmation be needed, once again establishes the need to face the continuing political and institutional crisis that is gripping the country. It is enough to look at Parliament … there is a “scrum package” that has never been seen before, as heterogeneous as it is unpredictable in its determinations … if only they had listened to Craxi … It is time to make that direct election, by the people, which his father first proposed in the Great Reformation, in 1979
Well, and in things. All the experience from Cossiga onwards leads to a presidential, or rather, semi-presidential model. The presidents, despite the controversies that have accompanied the various seven years, in the end are those who have the highest approval rating among the citizens … I don’t think it’s a coincidence. What would be the benefits
Making the voters choose, for example. I know that for some it seems a demodic practice but it is lifeblood for them … And then, I consider presidentialism a necessary reform because it represents a valid and efficient system of government, but even more so because it would be a shock therapy capable of regenerating a deeply undermined democratic fabric by revitalizing institutions and restoring role and function to parties. Citizens want to decide and no longer understand many choices which, although correct in compliance with the formal constitution, contrasting with their wishes and with the material constitution itself … What memory of Craxi can we mention for the quirinal elections
Well, two elections opposed to each other in the figures and for the effects they had on the country: that of Pertini and that of Scalfaro. I play a leading role on both and was decisive for their election, albeit in very different conditions and contexts. If with the socialist partisan, beyond some sinister vulgate, he managed to give Italy a great president who opened the doors of Palazzo Chigi to a socialist, with Scalfaro, let’s say, he had no happy hand … When they talk about super presidents -partes and I think of his seven years it makes you smile…. What do you think of the tough veto from the Democratic Party to the hypothesis of Silvio Berlusconi at the Colle
For heaven’s sake, a political force may prefer one name to another. But there are ways and ways and there are also numbers! However, I cannot tolerate double standards, double standards, the idea that this left, regardless, has the absolute power to give political and institutional legitimacy, even ethical and moral legitimacy, to someone. Strong, out-of-tune and disrespectful declarations were heard not only towards Berlusconi, but also towards us parliamentarians and the whole center-right, with a large part of which – I want to remember – govern the country! The kindest say and biased. True! But what would be the difference from the past
At the time of the election both Mattarella and Napolitano, to quote the last two tenants of the Colle, were partisan personalities, elected by a majority. Not for this they weren’t high-profile figures! And then, Berlusconi is fine with this left if he brings Enrico Letta to the government – as in 2013 – if he supports governments of broad agreements with them, if he criticizes his allies on some issues … in short, when it suits him … while then he is unworthy of hold institutional positions
Come on! Let’s be serious…
Stefania Craxi on her father’s grave in Hammamet
Source: Adnkronos
