“Clear outcome from the polls, we will judge the results” – Corriere.it

A year after the assault on the CGIL headquarters, what balance can be made?
First of all – replies the general secretary of the CGIL, Maurizio Landini – I thank the police and the judiciary for the work done, because there are already the first convictions and an open trial. But I continue to turn to the government and Parliament to apply the Constitution, which says that the forces that refer to fascism must be dissolved.
Do you think the new political framework could foster a hostile climate towards the CGIL?
I believe this is the time to solve the problems of the people and the country. And those who govern must listen to the union because living and working conditions have worsened and there is an energy emergency that is in danger of exploding.

Have you heard from Giorgia Meloni or the leaders of the Brothers of Italy in view of the new government?
No. We have invited all parties to the extraordinary opening of our headquarters and I thank those who have come. Giorgia Meloni had let us know that she had previous commitments and sent Fabio Rampelli to represent the party. I expect the contacts to be there when the government is in place.
Many read in his meeting on Saturday an opening of credit towards Meloni.
Ours is a credit opening towards democracy. There is a clear election result: the center-right coalition has the majority and the right and duty to govern. And we will, as always, judge governments by what they do. In Piazza del Popolo I wanted to say that the CGIL has no prejudices, but the union wants to be heard before decisions are made. We took to the streets, for a demonstration that I remember was proclaimed before the vote, to support our proposals.
So the CGIL will not be a point of reference for the opposition?
For me, the union cannot be either a government or an opposition, but an autonomous, democratic entity that makes proposals and contracts to obtain results. We want a real tax reform for the benefit of employees and retirees and not the flat tax; the end of precariousness; a real pension reform; industrial policies that invest in renewables. There is a conjuncture of unprecedented gravity, between pandemic, war and energy crisis. Without concrete answers, we are ready for the necessary mobilizations.
Will it be an autumn of strikes?
It depends on the answers we get. It will be a difficult autumn. The social situation is likely to explode, we must act immediately. Starting with the bills. We say that, in addition to fighting in Europe, we must go and get the money where it is: taxing extra profits in all sectors that have made them and creating a fund to cut bills for families and businesses. Jobs must be safeguarded and businesses prevented from closing.
Giuseppe Conte says that many of the topics on the 5 Star agenda are the same as those of the CGIL. The Movement closest to you of the Democratic Party?
The Democratic Party should be asked what it thinks of the CGIL agenda. If some forces share our proposals, we are pleased. But what interests us is that the government and Parliament make them their own. I say this also with reference to war, because we cannot stand still in the face of the risk of a nuclear escalation. We must accept the Pope’s appeal: stop the conflict and open negotiations.
Is it better for the Democratic Party to approach Conte or Calenda?
I do not allow myself to advise anyone. In a country that has a 40% abstention level, there is a problem that affects all parties: how to rebuild a political culture based on work and participation.
Could the CGIL be the leaven of this reconstruction?
My most ambitious goal: a new and stronger trade union unit. A stronger, more united, more democratic union, founded on representation, can make a contribution to the political culture of this country. The initiative taken with the trade unions that came to our headquarters from all over the world also goes in this sense: a manifesto for an international anti-fascist network based on work and democracy and to change the neoliberal model.