Surprise visit by Giorgia Meloni to Policoro after the tornado

A surprise visit, that of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to say that, after the state of emergency, the government will do its part and will intervene to support Policoro (Matera), a Ionian city of around 18 thousand inhabitants, decimated three days earlier by a violent tornado, with damages amounting to several million euros.

An unscheduled event in Lucania, which was also attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, and which took place a few kilometers from Bari and a few hours after the rally with which the Prime Minister celebrated the record of longevity of her government.

And in the Apulian capital the prime minister also spoke about Basilicata, but with a different declination: "We intend to increase the share of oil that can be extracted from our seas, because it makes no sense to go and buy oil in Qatar if we have it in Basilicata".

Words criticized by Avs, who, through co-leader Angelo Bonelli replies: "Meloni is betting on oil that we don't have, it's a colossal mockery".

A theme that will certainly return to the table in the next political election campaign; meanwhile the Prime Minister's visit was appreciated in Basilicata, obviously by the centre-right majority led by governor Vito Bardi (Forza Italia), but also by the Lucanian centre-left, with the regional opposition councilors who highlighted "the signal of attention", without however neglecting "to ask for concrete facts, quickly".

Support measures that the government is ready to implement, explained the prime minister, who was welcomed by Lucanian administrators in a hotel and who then personally verified the extensive damage, in a bathing establishment and on a farm.

"The mayor, Enrico Bianco - he explained - is in contact with the minister Musumeci and the Civil Protection, I also spoke to the minister and the Civil Protection. I believe that a state of emergency will be requested and at that point the government can clearly intervene".

Meloni also underlined that she went to Policoro "also to compliment the area, because" there was immediately a great desire, a great ability to roll up one's sleeves, to reopen, to continue working, and to do what was possible. And that doesn't always register."

During the morning in Lucania, the prime minister took selfies and spoke with numerous people, many of whom told her about children who had gone away, far from the South.

"In the South - he told journalists - gross domestic product and employment are growing more than the national average. So everything can be done, but a different political mentality is needed, which also addresses the problem of too many young people leaving. This is the next priority."