PALERMO – Open Arms Trial, the acquittal of Matteo Salvini, with full formula, divides the political world. The center-right is united around the Minister of Infrastructure, but the barbs come from the world of associations and from the left.
Salvini acquitted, the center-right is united
Shortly after the news of the acquittal of the League leader, among the first comments flowing between the agencies is that of the prime minister Giorgia Meloni, which expresses “great satisfaction. A judgment that demonstrates how unfounded and surreal the accusations made against him were.”
The President of the Region Renato Schifani welcomes “with joy the sentence of acquittal with the reasoning that 'the fact does not exist'. A formula that leaves no doubt and which confirms the correctness of his actions of which I have always been certain.”
“I hope that this verdict will contribute to bringing serenity back to the public debate – concludes Schifani – on such delicate issues and to foster a climate of institutional collaboration in the interest of citizens”.
The intervention of Nello Musumeci was also not long in coming, Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies: “I express my satisfaction with the full acquittal of Matteo Salvini. There is still hope for a judiciary that is not politicized anywhere.”
The words of ministers Giorgetti and Calderoli
The Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti, reached by journalists in the Chamber, he confided that he had “just heard from Salvini, I am happy for him – he said – for the Italian State. He had the courage to reiterate a principle that seems elementary but which everyone now has to respect in some way.”
Roberto Calderoli, at the head of the Department for Regional Affairs and Autonomies he says he is “pleased, and not at all surprised, by the acquittal for Matteo Salvini in the Open Arms trial”.
“I didn't expect another outcome – underlines Calderoli – simply because I didn't think that was possible in any way. Today the judges, with this acquittal sentence, have decided that defending one's borders is not a crime!”.
The support of Piantedosi and Nordio
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi was also satisfied: “I am infinitely happy for Matteo Salvini. But above all, as a citizen and as a minister, I underline the importance of this sentence which reaffirms a very important principle: the political line of a government cannot be put on trial”.
“Honor to these courageous magistrates – comments the Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio -. This process shouldn't even have started, as I wrote years ago, as a columnist. However, the political decision to authorize this process was serious, in contrast with the constitutional law that protects the ministerial office”.
The embrace of the Sicilian Northern League members
Shortly after the reading of the acquittal, applause broke out in the courtroom. Numerous representatives of the League were present.
The regional deputies Luca Sammartino, Mimmo Turano, Vincenzo Figuccia and Pippo Laccoto they have no doubts: “Salvini could only be acquitted because the fact does not exist. We had a lot of confidence in the decision of the Palermo court, because precisely in Palermo this false crime was the expedient for a ferocious political battle that had only one objective, that of overthrowing a political leader who did what he had promised: to defend the Italian borders ”.
And again, the Northern League members of Ars insist: “Whoever wanted to put Salvini on trial actually wanted to put Italy and one of its most important institutions. It was an assault on the Constitution, on the established power, which deserved this response from a responsible body that examined the facts and decided clearly.”
Senator Nino Germanà, commissioner of the League in Sicily, speaks of a “victory for the whole country. As we have always maintained, defending our borders and our national security is not a crime, but a duty. Salvini has always acted in the exclusive exercise of his functions to protect Italy.”
The sentence and the criticisms
Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva welcomes the sentence, but politically condemns Salvini's actions: “Matteo Salvini's acquittal is good news – says Renzi – and we cannot than to be happy about it. It is confirmation that the way is to defend oneself in the trial and not from the trial. However, the condemnation of an exquisitely political nature – he concludes – for his migratory management remains.”
Oscar Camps, founder of the NGO Open Arms, doesn't agree: “The regret is above all for the people, who, as we said from the first minute, were deprived of their freedom. We await the judges' reasons, to evaluate whether to appeal the sentence as we hope the Public Prosecutor's Office will too. With this process, which is unique in Italian and European history, we wanted to restore dignity to the 147 people held on board and deprived of their freedom for 20 days.”
And Luca Casarini, founder of the NGO, Mediterranea Saving Human, adds to the matter: “The acquittal of a powerful person is not surprising news. That the suffering caused to innocent people by a powerful person should not be considered a crime, either. Everything seems normal to me, nothing too strange.”
“Our criticism of the choices of Meloni and Salvini – says the segretaria del Pd Elly Schlein – today like yesterday it is all politics and it doesn't change a millimeter because it is on politics that we will beat them. The sentences are always respected, unlike what the right does, and our harsh opposition to their choices will continue.”
Nicola Fratoianni, secretary of Si and MP of Avs attacks: “I read that Salvini declares that whoever thought of using migrants to engage in politics has lost today. I would like to quietly remind him that if there is anyone who has used migrants for political interests in recent years it is him. It's always been him.”
Salvini acquitted: “After three years, common sense and the League won” VIDEO
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