In front of the world burning between missiles, tensions and diplomacy in trouble, Cagliari raises the white flag. Not that of surrender, but that of peace. No helmets, no weapons. According to a new research by Changes Unipol with Ipsos, the Sardinian capital is one of the most pacifist cities in Italy: «Here war is not a solution, not even the last one».
For Mayor Massimo Zedda, the results of this survey demonstrate how strong the needs and the requirement for peace are, "a widespread feeling that has also grown thanks to the many associations and organizations that daily raise awareness among the population on these issues."
The people of Cagliari therefore choose the path of dialogue and the Change survey clearly states this : almost one in two people of Cagliari (46%) declares themselves “always pacifist”, while 42% adopt a more pragmatic approach, deciding on a case-by-case basis. Only 5% are convinced in favor of military interventions in every context.
But it is on the diplomatic front that there is almost unanimity : a good 93% of those interviewed believe that conflicts should be resolved by sitting down at a table, not with weapons in hand. And it does not matter who organizes it: 60% would also accept external mediation, by third countries, in order to put out the fires of war.
Among the conflicts that cause the most fear, the war in Ukraine is at the top of the list of concerns (79%), followed by the Israeli-Palestinian one (74%) . But what really worries the people of Cagliari is the specter of the atomic bomb: 47% fear the use of nuclear weapons, a figure well above the national average (38%).
And while at a national level there is cyclical talk of compulsory military service, in Cagliari the idea is met with ridicule : 61% of citizens are against its reinstatement, making the capital one of the most opposed cities in Italy.
"In Cagliari - Zedda recalls - the administration is organizing various cultural initiatives, a constant work to promote more and more peaceful and inclusive coexistence. An example is the free show "A year on the Altipiano", a tribute to Emilio Lussu, scheduled for May 17 at the Carmen Melis theater, with the participation of the artist Paolo Fresu".
