Referendum, avalanche of No votes and in the Sicilian center-right it's everyone against everyone: "Lack of commitment"

"With all the investigations that have hit the center-right in Sicily, what did they expect from a referendum on justice?" The comment is not from an opposition figure. But from two, three, four big names of the majority led by Renato Schifani. Here, the coalition brings home very low turnout figures, the worst in Italy at 46 percent, and a full of No: a figure that exceeds 60 percent and the numbers from the red Emilia Romagna.

However, the governor assures there will be no backlash: "The result of the referendum – says Schifani – does not represent, nor can it be interpreted, as a judgment on the actions of the government, at the national or regional level. We will continue with determination in implementing the program for which the Sicilians entrusted a center-right government for five years. The results achieved in these first three and a half years – adds Schifani – from restoring the finances to the greater financial reliability recognized by the main international agencies, up to the growth of employment, confirm the solidarity of the work done." And if it were not clear, Schifani also “bounces” the potential temptations of early elections: "The mandate of the citizens is clear: to govern with seriousness and continuity for the entire legislature. In this direction we will continue – says the president of the Region – with constant commitment and without deviations, in the interest of the Sicilian community."

But now, the allies are looking at each other suspiciously: who held back this time? Very harsh, for example, Gianfranco Miccichè, who speaks of "disinterest from the center-right" and points the finger at Forza Italia: "Its leaders had the opportunity to thank Berlusconi for what he has done for all of us and, instead, many have betrayed him precisely on the battle of his life, that for a fair justice." For Miccichè, who wonders how much the flop is the result of infighting among factions, "kicks in the rear are needed against those who do not deserve to wear the shirt with Berlusconi's name. Where were the leaders, deputies, senators, mayors, and councilors of the center-right? Few initiatives – concludes Miccichè – no real mobilization, no full halls as usually happens." And the shadow of poor mobilization is also in the words of the regional commissioner of Fratelli d'Italia, Luca Sbardella: "I had the clear impression – he comments – that we had certainly moved more than others. For example: in recent weeks I was repeatedly urged about the local elections, while I reminded everyone of the importance of the referendum. But I often seemed to be the only one with this thought." And so, Sicily responded with a rain of No. "Perhaps, simply – says Sbardella – the orphans of the Citizenship Income took the opportunity to get something off their chest."

And if part of the center-right was more interested in the local elections than the referendum, part of Forza Italia would have had its mind elsewhere: at the regional congress that will be held in a few days, called by the regional secretary Marcello Caruso in Mussomeli, the hometown of Totò Cardinale. "Something did not work – thunders the national blue deputy Tommaso Calderone – and it will need to be discussed in the appropriate venues. For sure, I committed myself to this referendum, along with Marco Falcone and Giorgio Mulè. I personally participated in forty events, even having undergone a surgery that forced me to move around with stitches and crutches. I admit – concludes Calderone – that I did not register the same commitment from other regional and national deputies." And the problem within Forza Italia is also mentioned by the MEP Falcone: "In Sicily – he declared – the defeat of the Yes takes on even more significant proportions compared to other regions, it seems to exceed even 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."

But the impression is that the "everyone against everyone" has just begun. "The data from Sicily? Probably – explains the national melonian deputy, Carolina Varchi – the center-right on the island must return to speaking the language of politics and not of power for its own sake. Enough talking about appointments, delegations, councilors, and under-government."

However, the hunt for the "disengaged" has begun. And accusations are flying, with notebooks closed, about the lack of commitment of this or that deputy and of this or that political force. Attention is also directed at Palermo's mayor Roberto Lagalla, who has decided not to comment on the record No figure in the capital, close to 70 percent. Up to the bitter confession: "With one person under investigation every 40 days – admits a big name – how can you convince people to vote on justice?".