By Claudio Maria Ciacci
During the latest ordinary city council meeting in Catanzaro, the discussion returned to the budget adjustment and regulations for street vendors. But more than the items on the agenda, it was once again the political clashes between the majority and the opposition that took center stage. On one side, an increasingly fragile administration supported by alliances of convenience; on the other, a minority that, despite countless difficulties, tries to bring the real priorities of the citizens back to the center of the agenda. It is therefore necessary to ask: is what the opposition denounces really “mud,” as Mayor Fiorita likes to say, or is it simply the reality that every citizen of Catanzaro experiences every day? This administration seems more interested in decorating city staircases with artistic works, perhaps even of value, rather than addressing the deterioration of the roads, the insecurity of the sidewalks, the lack of parking, and widespread neglect. The situation on Via Alcide De Gasperi is emblematic, where a chasm has been cordoned off for some time and represents a growing danger. Yet right in front of that damage, there is a decorated staircase, shining and seemingly perfect: a jarring contrast, a symbolic and mocking message that seems to tell citizens to close their eyes to real problems. It is not just a matter of urban decorum: that stretch of road, like many others in Catanzaro, is surrounded by blue lines that should guarantee revenue for the city administration. But if a chasm blocks traffic and parking, even that income is lost, generating further waste of resources. The decor thus becomes a showcase useful only for propaganda, while the substance—safe asphalt, clear signage, walkable sidewalks—is neglected. And what about road signs? Often misleading, poorly positioned, at times even dangerous. A danger for motorists, a symptom of poor maintenance, just like the trees that fall in the city center, incidents that are increasingly frequent and serious. In all this, our mayor, who finds himself at the bottom of the national ranking of mayors, can only respond by accusing the opposition of “throwing mud.” But the real mud, in Catanzaro, is what emerges from ignored problems, from the lack of water, inhospitable schools, forgotten neighborhoods, compromised roads, community centers never started, and safety perceived only in official statements. Meanwhile, the majority’s stability depends on extremely fragile balances, as shown by the votes of the mixed group, who support the budget under the pretext of “technical” reasons. But a budget is never just technical: it is the political act par excellence, it is the vision a city has of itself and its future. Perhaps the real motivation is another: the fear that a no vote could bring down the council, leading to new elections and taking away seats from those who seem determined to keep them at all costs. The city needs solid, aware leadership, capable of truly listening to its citizens. If this administration is no longer able to represent the popular will, it should at least have the courage to give the people back their voice. Catanzaro deserves respect, deserves a future, deserves truth. It is not mud. It is reality.