In front of the site of the massacre, where 40 years ago the then president of the Sicilian region Piersanti Mattarella was assassinated by the mafia, the commemorative ceremony was held . Five crowns of flowers, including the government's for the first time, have been placed on the sides of the plaque, in via Libertà in Palermo. Family members were present, including Mattarella's children and grandchildren. For the government, the Minister of the South, Giuseppe Provenzano; present the highest Sicilian institutional offices governor Nello Musumeci, the president of the Sicilian Assembly Gianfranco Miccichè, the mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando. There are also numerous civil and military authorities.
"The mafia that wanted to kill Piersanti Mattarella did not win, yet it did not even lose because that profound reform of the institutions that Mattarella wanted to carry out in Sicily, and which is needed throughout the country, is a job that still needs to be completed: the reasons why he was killed are still current. "
"On 6 January 40 years ago the mafia killed the president of the Sicilian region, Piersanti Mattarella. Not to forget who lived and fought for an Italy without mafias, for a freer Italy. Thanks forever!". The secretary of the Democratic Party Nicola Zingaretti writes on Facebook
The Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, is following the solemn session at Palazzo Reale alongside Maria and Bernardo, sons of his brother Piersanti, assassinated by the mafia 40 years ago when he was president of the Sicilian Region. The session was opened by the President of the Sicilian Assembly, Gianfranco Miccichè, after the national anthem. (AN