Giovanni Toti resigned as governor of Liguria . After 80 days under house arrest, the Ligurian president resigned. His loyal Giacomo Giampedrone, councilor for Civil Protection, delivered the letter of "irrevocable" resignation to the regional protocol office this morning at 10.40. New elections, Giampedrone himself explained, will be held " within 90 days as required by the Statute ".
Toti explains the reasons for his choice in a letter: « I take on all the responsibility of calling the voters of our territory to the polls in advance, in the next three months, who will have to decide for their own future . Until today the interim President Alessandro Piana, the Council, the entire majority, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart, have undertaken the commitment to avoid blocking the organisation, respecting all the commitments made and carrying forward projects and construction sites, with a sense of responsibility, ability and honour. They also did so in the face of an opposition which, far from the institutional attitude required of the moment, only knew how to ride out the complex situation , forgetful of its own values of the past, of every legal civilisation, of the Constitution and of that culture of government that it should represent those who are running for leadership of a community."
«I am certain – continues Toti – that the coalition that has loyally supported me up to now will be able to carry forward the ambitious projects that we have begun to implement to change our land, without getting lost in selfishness and particularism, instead taking advantage of that synergy between parties and civic forces that have attributed consensus and ability to achieve to our experience".
"I'm leaving a region in order," he claims . «I waited until today to resign to allow the Regional Council to approve the budget adjustment and reporting, which are fundamental for the management of the institution».
Toti has been under house arrest since May 7, accused of corruption .
THE REACTIONS
The League attacks the judges: «In Liguria we are faced with yet another attempt to subvert the popular vote using investigations and arrests. The League will not be intimidated and the citizens will be able to respond democratically by reconfirming the centre-right which has relaunched the Region from all points of view."
Action leader Carlo Calenda : «Toti is our opponent. The evaluation of its management is negative. Conflict of interest profiles are the most foreign to Azione practice one can imagine. But forcing the resignation of a governor through the imposition of precautionary measures is unworthy of a rule of law . Just as it is unworthy to use investigations as the basis of a political confrontation. It wasn't a good page for Italian democracy."
« Giovanni Toti has finally resigned, albeit very late. 80 days have passed in which Liguria was stopped, paralyzed, kept under house arrest with him ", comments Elly Schlein . «Now – he adds – is the opportunity to give the Ligurian citizens back their say. It is an opportunity for alternative forces to the right to build a project that looks to the future of the region and that is commensurate with the emergencies that need to be addressed there."
For Angelo Bonelli (Avs) , Toti's resignation is «a politically necessary act due to the failure of his policies which have led his Region to see essential rights and services compromised : from public health to transport with a strong attack on the environment. Now let's remain united to win the elections and to build a Liguria that respects the territory, the environment of participation and democracy."
(Unioneonline/L)
