Democracy is at risk in Italy for a number of reasons including the climate of indifference among citizens, Campania Governor Vincenzo De Luca told Salernostudents on Monday.
"This is a country where freedom has a price. Without free men and women, democracy does not survive," De Luca told students of the De Sanctis high school.
"Today we are entering a climate of indifference; indeed, democracy is at risk. Be careful," he added.
De Luca also stressed the need to "ensure that the South is not betrayed by the counter Risorgimento that is taking place in our country", referring to governmentregional autonomy plans accused of further penalizing the already poorer south.
The Risorgimento is the 19th century political and social movement that led to the Unification of Italy in 1861.
"There are many ways to empty democracy. Democracy can also die from exhaustion, from the indifference of citizens," De Lucatold the students.
"I am fighting with you, for this the role of the school is decisive," he added.
On Friday De Luca, of the centre-left opposition Democratic Party (PD), led a protest near the office of Premier GiorgiaMeloni against the plans for so-called 'diffentiated autonomy', prompting the latter to say he should "work instead of demonstrating. "The pugnacious governor responded by saying: “Meloni? Withoutmoney you don't work. B**h, you work”.
The opposition said De Luca should apologize for the insult, but he responded by saying "the only insult pronounced Friday was from Meloni".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA