As soon as his worst political opponent leaves office, Domenico Lucano aka "Papa Mimmo" is allowed to return to his village. A court in the Calabrian city of Locri has overturned a ban on the former mayor, known for his work for immigrants, not being allowed to enter his community of Riace. This is reported by news agency Ansa.
As the mayor of the village near the toe of the Italian boot, Lucano had taken in hundreds of migrants in the depopulated village and given them jobs. He was awarded the Peace Prize of the City of Dresden.
But he drew the wrath of the then interior minister Matteo Salvini of the right lega. Lucano was suspended on duty on charges of promoting illegal immigration and temporarily detained.
Salvini's time at the Interior Ministry ended on Wednesday, when the new Italian government, which no longer owns the Lega, has been sworn in. In the local election in late May, the Lega had become the strongest force in Riace, Lucano did not make it to the local council.