Ferrara, August 19, 2026 – “No justification for violence, but let the truth of the facts be ascertained. I care about social peace because it is the first duty I have and I must uphold it.” This is the position of Mayor Dario Bernardi, following what happened on Sunday evening in via Somalia, at the height of a discussion between a woman, walking her dog, and a member of a Moroccan family. In the end, the woman was injured in the head, requiring four stitches, a child was also injured, and two cross complaints followed. One filed by the woman and the other by the Moroccan family.
The words of Mayor Bernardi
On the matter, Mayor Dario Bernardi emphasizes: “Regarding the episode of a scuffle that on Sunday evening allegedly involved a lady and a family of Moroccan origin, I would like to declare the following. First of all, I contacted the carabinieri and they informed me that investigations are ongoing to ascertain responsibilities and beyond that I cannot and do not want to go. I have naturally requested that the facts and responsibilities be ascertained as soon as possible in order to proceed with the appropriate punishments.” Bernardi continues by adding: “this is not a new position, it has always been my position and that of this administration. A position in favor of order and legality, a position of close collaboration with those who have the task of enforcing the rules, namely the law enforcement agencies, despite the fact that some continue to attribute to us lenient, lax, or tolerant behaviors for purposes of convenience or political visibility. The facts speak for us and everything we have achieved in terms of collaboration with the Prefecture and law enforcement, controls, and investigations.”
“The only thing I care about is respect for the rules in our town”
Following the parliamentary question request by Honorable Mauro Malaguti (FdI), who will ask for clarity on what happened, the mayor of Portomaggiore clarifies: “I have always said that security is not a topic I leave to the right and the opposition, also because this right-wing government, in many respects, has failed on security. The icing on the cake is when their parliamentary representatives rush to attack only mayors from the opposing side, even though news episodes happen everywhere and we read about them every day. The only thing I care about is respect for the rules in our town, this is why I have fought for five years and will continue to do so as long as I have this responsibility.”
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The controversies
In Portomaggiore, the debate on the immigration issue was at the center of a report on the program ‘Quarta Repubblica’ on Rete 4 in November 2025, where a man identified as a self-styled imam in Portomaggiore made a statement offensive towards women. The statements sparked immediate political controversies and the formal reaction of the mayor. At the beginning of 2026, several highly attended public discussions were held on the topic of immigration, including a meeting at Teatro Smeraldo and institutional initiatives at the town hall with representatives of Brothers of Italy and the mayor, focused on demographic pressure, security, and management of social spaces. A discussion on the topic with the Brothers of Italy senator, Alberto Balboni.
