Catania, the candidate for mayor Abramo renounces. For Pd and M5S agreement to be redone- Corriere.it

Everything seemed ready for the presentation of the center-left mayoral candidate in Catania, supported by a reborn Pd-M5S alliance (endorsed by regional and national leaders) but surprisingly received a letter from Emiliano Abramo motivating his resignation. An unexpected twist, which is sensational, but whose reasons are explained by Abraham himself: I am sorry to announce the renunciation of the candidacy for mayor driven by personal and family reasons.

And it should be added that solidarity was immediately revealed to Abraham by the regional leaders of Pd and M5S. A broad coalition had already formed in the name of Abramo, a member of the Sant’Egidio community: Pd, M5S, the Italian Left and Green Europe. And not just politics, since his candidacy had garnered the support of religious and secular voluntary movements, from the world of culture and work. The reborn alliance between the dem and the Cinque Stelle was seen as a national model. His candidacy was also open to moderates, since Abraham is highly appreciated among Catholics, both in the ecclesiastical world and in the voluntary sector.

From the statements, contained in the letter of Abraham, it is understood that he does not shirk from participating in the progressive project: I thank the progressive front for having indicated my person as a candidate for mayor of Catania and, above all, for having created a unifying path which has become a government proposal for the city. Catania, in my opinion, is experiencing a period of renewal thanks to the work of some well-functioning institutions such as the Public Prosecutor’s Office led by Dr. Zuccaro or the University of Catania which, at the opening of the academic year, showcased the solid foundations on which the ambitions of a not too distant future rest which will see us competitive with the most virtuous experiences. Catania is a city that sees a generation of young people who are passionate about carrying on their battles such as, for example, the environmental one. Just as the world of associations and voluntary work is always rich, which also lives a lot in the suburbs of the city.

The reference to Abraham is also very important to the new archbishop of Catania, Luigi Renna, whose critical positions towards the Catania political class have been strong and clear-cut. In fact, the bishop recently spoke of politicians who have failed. And he added, we need competent, free and non-other-directed people who give a break with the past. Bishop Renna added that the Church will not stand idly by, and while not supporting anyone, has indicated the path of renewal. In the letter of the young exponent of the Community of Sant’Egidio, in fact, the reference to Renna was not lacking: I like to underline the reference to the moral question and the work that Monsignor Renna has carried out with commitment since his inauguration, pushing the city towards unity for the better face the problems, looking at the suburbs and the training of young people.

The declarations of the Pd and M5S are based on strong solidarity. The regional secretary of the Democratic Party, Anthony Barbagallo, and the provincial secretary of the Democrats Maria Grazia Leone say: In politics as in life there are the unexpected, the moments that change things and immediately restore the right value to things. In these moments one must have the foresight of sobriety. We are close to Emiliano, we understand and embrace his choice. The declarations of the regional coordinator of the 5 Star Movement Nuccio Di Paola follow the same line: We express full solidarity with Emiliano Abramo, who is forced to face family problems. We thank him for the contribution he has made and which we are sure he will continue to make to the progressive project. For our part, we will immediately get to work, with the other political and social forces, to identify another synthetic name, accepting and perfectly understanding the reasons that prompted the President of the Sant’Egidio community to take a step back.