Bologna, August 1, 2026 – Mayor, will you file a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office for the wave of social hatred? What emerges from the dossier and, above all, do you think there is a bigger orchestration behind it?
“I don’t know who is behind it and, frankly, I’m not proposing any ‘Maga theory’: it will be up to the competent authorities to investigate, but it is worrying that thousands of profiles from abroad are polluting our political debate.”
Is there an attempt to tarnish the upcoming elections under the Towers?
“What I see is striking: for a week false news has been generated daily. Some claim that the Carabinieri refused to give me a security detail, others say we did not take to the streets after Ambrosio’s death, some invent stories to discredit me. It is clear that someone is targeting the city and myself through digital fraud.”
Would more defined rules be needed to hit those responsible? There is talk of fake and automated profiles.
“Criticism is legitimate, but here hatred is being generated and it is right that citizens know it is not spontaneous, but artificial. I wonder if these profiles comply with national regulations and I believe there is not enough awareness on the subject, because it has already happened in other countries. Let’s ask ourselves what would happen if a digital storm were to hit a swing district in the general elections, or strike the center-left primaries, or if it could distort free democratic expression. It is an issue that goes beyond Bologna…”
You were also caught up in the controversy for not calling Francesca, the woman who tried to stop the street fighting. Meloni called her, did you eventually meet her?
“We spoke and I invited her to meet, it hasn’t happened yet. In these days I hadn’t had the chance to contact her, but I believe her indignation is also mine regarding what happened that evening in Piazza Roosevelt. And I think it is the indignation of all Bologna: I will gladly see her.”
So: almost two weeks later, would you call the Fakir vigil again in the same way?
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“Bologna has always taken to the streets for the victims’ families and this has never meant accusing the police forces. I would like to remind that public order and security are under the Ministry of the Interior.”
What do you mean?
“The Government applied the decree to prevent clashes with the preventive detention measure: I am surprised that no one asks Meloni why there have been numerous street demonstrations. It seems that the center-left manages public order, yet I am the first to be attacked by the antagonists.”
Even during the vigil?
“When a group of antagonists started shouting ‘murderers’, I was on that list. And when there were clashes in the square, I was inside the Police Headquarters with the victims’ families…”
Is there fear that the August 2nd march will be affected?
“I expect a great democratic response, as Bologna knows how to do: I don’t think anyone will cause problems. Should democrats and non-violent people leave the squares to the antagonists or fill those votes that otherwise remain in their hands?”
Potere al Popolo and other groups have said they will march separately.
“The institutions have reassured me about the management of public order for Sunday (tomorrow, ed). We are talking about groups that have always participated in the march autonomously, but have never caused problems.”
Last but not least, the rift with Azione is now evident. Could it have been avoided?
“Azione did not support me even in the 2021 elections, to be honest. I have never withheld collaboration and openness towards them, so much so that with Gualmini moments of collaboration were not lacking even after she left the PD. And they will certainly continue.”
