Referendum, within Forza Italia the reckoning begins. Falcone: "In Sicily worse than Emilia Romagna, it's a wake-up call"

In Sicily, silence prevails among the majority after the debacle of the Yes front in the justice referendum. The Island, a historic stronghold of votes for the center-right, has unexpectedly transformed into a bastion of No. After Campania, Sicily is indeed the Italian region with the highest percentage of difference: 60.98% No, 39.02% Yes. 

The first to comment, around seven in the evening, is the Forza Italia MEP Marco Falcone, who admits: "We are disappointed: this referendum represents a missed opportunity to modernize justice and lead Italy towards a new season of reforms, a transition that is unlikely to present itself again in the short term." 

Then the political attack directed at his party on the island led by Renato Schifani. "The people are sovereign and we fully respect their will. At the same time, those with political responsibilities must be able to read this result and learn from it for the future," continues the blue representative. A thought that would find agreement among part of the Forza Italia parliamentary group at the Ars, which largely did not engage fully in the referendum campaign, as in other electoral occasions. And the result was evident. 

"Especially in Sicily, then - reflects Falcone - the defeat of Yes takes on even more significant proportions compared to other regions, it seems to even surpass Emilia-Romagna in percentage terms. It is a signal not to be underestimated, a strong wake-up call for the center-right as a whole and, as far as we are concerned, particularly for the stability of Forza Italia. Our strongholds must be defended with commitment and closeness to the people, not taken for granted.

In a few months, Forza Italia in Sicily will experience the congress phase, members will vote to elect the new secretary. Falcone has been among the most critical in recent months regarding the management of the party by the current secretary Marcello Caruso and Governor Schifani.