La Russa: "Sala must demonstrate that he has a majority on urban planning." Salvini: "Let's go back to the polls."

"I can boast of being part of a political group that respects the judiciary, that understands that the separation of powers is only possible if there is mutual respect. Otherwise, the democratic system is undermined." Senate President Ignazio La Russa is in Milan for a meeting at Palazzo Lombardia on confiscated assets, which also commemorates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.

And it is precisely in his speech, referring to the two names symbolic of the fight against the mafia, that he makes what is a clear reference to today and to the investigations into urban planning that are shaking up the Sala administration and involving star architects and builders.

"Respect for Falcone and Borsellino must be extended to the judiciary, because when we criticize a measure or a magistrate, and it may even be right to do so, we must not forget those who have worked tirelessly to fight crime and those who do so silently every day. This has always been the right-wing view. Sometimes exaggerated," La Russa emphasized. "With the Mani Pulite investigation, for example, we were unable to see the flaws and only felt the need to moralize a world that needed moralizing. Falcone and Borsellino have shown us that our view is not wrong."

Yesterday, following the news that Mayor Beppe Sala had also been placed under investigation in what has now become a major investigation into Milan's urban planning, La Russa said: "I'm not happy that the judiciary is needed. I would have been happier if politicians had independently understood that this approach was the wrong one." And when asked if Mayor Beppe Sala should resign, he replied: "It's not up to me to give... I never ask for resignations when a measure is introduced, which I don't know to what extent, concerns me personally. The Sala administration has certainly demonstrated that it isn't suited to Milan. Due process has nothing to do with this; I'm not asking for resignations because of the legal action. I said that the Save Milan bill is a "Save the Sala administration": the Sala administration must demonstrate that it has a majority on urban planning. If it doesn't have a majority on a policy that is fundamental to Milan, it should draw the consequences."

Outside of an official speech, but speaking to reporters, the President of the Senate also referred to the recent appointment of his son Geronimo as national president of the ACI : “They elected him to the ACI and don't know that I didn't want him because he's leaving my law firm..."

Yesterday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni dictated a cautious stance on the issue of Mayor Sala's resignation. But the positions of individual parties, and even those of their local fronts, are another matter entirely. Thus, while yesterday in Milan, center-right councilors staged a dramatic protest in the chamber of Palazzo Marino, demanding Sala's resignation, that very word is being avoided as much as possible by the leaders.

Salvini: "Milanese people should go back to the polls. Sala's fault is keeping Milan at a standstill."

Matteo Salvini , on the sidelines of an event in which he is Minister of Transport, launched into a more detailed speech: "As a Milanese, before being a minister, I am concerned. It would be appropriate for the citizens to be able to express themselves again. I challenge Sala and the left, which hasn't governed Milan for too long, for their inaction. The city is at a standstill; instead of moving forward, it's going backwards. I ask that the people of Milan be able to choose a new administration, not because of the investigations from which I hope everyone will emerge innocent, but I ask that Milan get back on track. Which is something Sala is not doing. I wouldn't want the left to retreat into its own shelter for fear of losing the elections; the people of Milan can't go on for another two years with a city at a standstill," the minister continued.

So what? "I tell the mayor to do what his conscience tells him to do. Regardless of the investigation, I expect the mayor to speak to the people of Milan on Monday about what they're not doing. For example, the San Siro stadium is a small example of the nothingness, the wasted years. Milan can't afford to stand still, otherwise we'll fall behind other European capitals," the minister added, referring to Mayor Sala's announcement that he would speak in the Chamber on Monday. The hope of his resignation, however, would also mean finding a candidate to propose more quickly than expected. "We need to find a mayoral candidate, but regardless of the investigations. I have ideas, I've had meetings. There are people who would make themselves available for the Milan of the future. Regardless of the investigations, which don't change my political agenda, I will ask my allies to choose quickly, as early as this fall."

Fontana: "Sala shouldn't resign, just as I didn't."

Perhaps it's out of institutional courtesy and the need for relationships, or perhaps because he's been through it himself , the president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana of the Northern League, interviewed on Radio anch'io, is clear, but on the opposite side. "Should Sala resign? In my opinion, absolutely not, for the same reason I didn't resign. The judicial investigation must run its course, and eventually we'll have an answer. I'm certainly much more cautious; I'm absolutely convinced that it's absurd to be considering the possibility of a resignation with a notice of investigation." And he concludes: "The notice of investigation is merely the expression of one of the two parties. The other party will have the right to defend itself, to explain its points of view, its thesis, and then, if necessary, only after such a discussion can the judge make a definitive assessment with a ruling."