Miccichè’s moves on the Sicilian chessboard. His note: “I’m oblivious.”
PALERMO – The suspicion, whispered by insiders close to Gianfranco Miccichè, is that there is a Roman way of the Sicilian crisis, which can consolidate a not too condescending orientation towards the Brothers of Italy in Palermo, as in determining the future balance of the party and of the national government. “A fantasy without foundation”, they retort nationwide, while Senator Licia Ronzulli – confirms the staff to LiveSicilia – prefers not to comment on what is happening on the island. The vice president of the Chamber Giorgio Mulè has no doubts: “We need to mend”, she tells us. And Berlusconi’s staff assures that the former Prime Minister has not had any understanding with Miccichè.
Micciché is the peacemaker
In the evening, the regional force coordinator himself issued a peacemaking note: “I spent the whole day in the countryside in the wonderful company of true friends who disregard politics. But as soon as I looked on the phone I discovered that I wasn’t in the countryside but busy making negotiations, secret meetings, political workshops and who knows what else to achieve who knows what imaginative goal?! I would like to let those who wrote and those who read, believing it to be true news, know that I am absolutely unaware of all this”.
The laboratory and the future of politics
Miccichè, however, is working on the political future, a sort of laboratory: he confided this to LiveSicilia a few days ago (CLICK to read the interview) speaking exactly of a “reflection on the future of politics”, also analyzing the role “of Calenda and Renzi” and “all the other scenarios”. At the same time he is focusing on the attrition of Renato Schifani: blow for blow. He spoiled the celebration of the first serious appointment at the Ars, causing the majority to go into crisis after the blessing of the government council (from which he was excluded) and set up a parallel parliamentary group.
Separate at home
The illusion of the wedding celebrated on the eve of the regionals, in Forza Italia, lasted just a few moments. Just the time for the celebrations, for the usual photos, that Gianfranco Miccichè and Renato Schifani found themselves separated at home. Parent 1 the president of the Region and parent 2 the former president of Ars, gender identity confirmed by the presence of two parliamentary groups in Sicily: Forza Italia 1 and Forza Italia 2.
Schifani’s away match
Behind the lines, that’s all they talk about: Renato Schifani will be away in Rome tomorrow, officially for Lukoil, but a summit among the Berlusconians is being organized, in the presence of Senator Licia Ronzulli, Minister Antonio Tajani and Maurizio Gasparri .
The coup at Ars
Gianfranco Miccichè put Schifani’s majority in crisis by determining the election of Nuccio di Paola, M5S, as the most voted vice president. And even if, in the subsequent votes, the center-right regrouped around Riccardo Gallo, elected secretary of the Ars, the wound remains open. At stake is the right rib of the budget commissioner Marco Falcone: the budget commission. “We are negotiating”, they let Falcone’s staff know: the aim is to stem, by Miccichè, the conquest of strategic boxes that can allow key choices for the release of funds, payment of salaries and avoid strikes and tensions with employees ( but not only).
Time flows
Gianfranco Miccichè’s group, barring new signings, runs the risk of breaking against the February maximum limit, within which Tommaso Calderone will have to decide whether to stay in Sicily as a regional deputy or go to Rome as a parliamentarian. The party colleague who follows him as the first of the unelected, historical Miccicheiana, Bernardette Grasso, is certainly not happy with the double role of Calderone who is condemning her far from the Ars. It is no coincidence that Grasso is in dialogue with the Forza Italia 1 group, led by Stefano Pellegrino. And again, in the event that Calderone remains in Sicily, it would be necessary to proceed with new national elections in the constituency of Messina: it suits no one.
The Forza Italia guide
Gianfranco Miccichè had assured that, after the vote, he would leave the leadership of Forza Italia in Sicily. And it would be difficult to imagine, with a regional president like Schifani, a regional leadership opposed to that of the party. But Gianfranco remains in his place and, paper in hand, founded the Forza Italia 2 group, opposed to that of the Schifanians. The former president of Ars sharpens his weapons, barring unforeseen circumstances he aims for checkmate: a small tsunami that from Sicily could also influence national dynamics. Barring new ways.
Forza Italia, tensions and power: the suspicion of a “Roman road”