«I am telling the truth but I scream too much. When the bridge collapsed in Genoa I cried »- Corriere.it
The mayor of Genoa, in the running for reconfirmation, tells of the difficult relations in the Municipality due to his fiery character: “I saw the things that were wrong and I reacted like this.” He has been to the summit of Mont Blanc six times and he loves sailing: “I want to go back to Ulysses, but I’ll take Penelope with me”
They call it “u scindicu” which “u crìa” (the mayor who screams), now legendary his outbursts with staff and councilors. Marco Bucci surprisingly defeated the left in the red Genoa five years ago, returning home after 22 years in the US. In Bucci’s mind there was a plan (with the civic attitude of a manager that he is) to be applied to the city to get it started again. Things, despite the more or less public outbursts, seemed to go well enough. Then, a year later, the collapse of the Morandi Bridge. And he, gruff, shy but who loves wandering among the people of the alleys, found himself in the spotlight of half the world. Now – supported by the Brothers of Italy, Lega, Forza Italia and also by the Renzians – he tries again. “But are you right? I don’t know! And then what does she mean? », He replies instinctively. A politician he did not have before and who, despite a complicated instinct, brought him support even from center-left voters.
Between hefty salaries and stock earnings from his previous life, at 62, spending life at the helm of Frally (his boat), but leads an almost monastic lifestyle. For lunch, omelette or rice with vegetables prepared by the dairy under Palazzo Tursi (“When I get to 50 euros, tell me I’ll come down to pay”). First meeting in the town hall at 7.15 and comes out late in the evening. Sea dog but with a great love also for the mountains.
What is your motto?
«The great climber Walter Bonatti used to say:“ Maybe I don’t shine with modesty but objectivity requires clarity ”. So, as mayor, I would add: you must always tell the truth, even if this costs. ” Mayor what did he want to do as a child? “When I was a teenager I wanted to be a shipwright and build boats. Then the mountain guide. Then I got my degree in chemistry and went to the lab at 3M. ‘ Dreams? “I’ve been to the top of Mont Blanc six times: 4807 meters. I was 20 the first time, the last 28: with my wife Laura before we got married. Two children: Matteo aged 31 and Francesca, 29. He is a mechanical engineer and she is a biomedical ».
Can it be defined with an adjective?
“Soon.”
Its main flaw?
“Scream”.
Exactly, let’s start from his nickname. Arriving in the Municipality, as a manager, he understood that politics is a complex science: the eardrums of his councilors know something about him …
“I started screaming, because I saw things that were not adequate for the level of service that the municipal administration must dare to its citizens. An example? The technicians of the digital platform were not yet at work at 8.30 ».
Then it was a bit ‘calm, but not too much.
«A mayor must demand results, words are useless. Maybe they weren’t used to it. ‘
How did he beat the left in 2017?
«Genoa was in a more than dramatic state. My predecessor’s motto was: if the city is in decline, the decline must be managed. It was a wrong mentality, with no hope of a better future. Today, however, the Genoese believe more in the future ».
All the fault of the left, as you say from the right?
“That’s not the right phrase. The incapable are there on the right and on the left. Except that on the left there is much more ideology ».
After all, she won by surprise, most likely she was totally fasting, about politics …
“This also means little. The character of the Genoese is very practical. Thanks to the 35 years of work behind me, I have instilled trust in people. The facts are under the eyes of the Genoese: if I have achieved the objectives I will be re-elected, otherwise I will not ».
Does he dance alone, anyway?
“I do not believe. I am and will always be the mayor of all. People from the Democratic Party also vote for me. The sooner we finish the city project, the better for everyone ».
I repeat the question: are you right?
«And I repeat the answer: Boh! What does it mean? I’ll give you an example: when I was elected, my predecessor wanted to sell Amiu, the waste subsidiary, for 1 euro: he had a hole of 160 million. We have instead put it back in place. It is now 100% public and sanitized, with new hires. Is this on the right or on the left? “
So let’s talk about immigration?
“Genoa welcomes all those who arrive legally”.
In 2017 she was an indicator as a candidate for mayor by the League. What did you think in front of the boats with refugee bowls, stranded at sea as did the former head of the Interior Ministry, Matteo Salvini?
“I’m the mayor, not the interior minister.”
His brother, Don Luca Maria Bucci, was challenged by the Savona prosecutor for the crime of child abuse. At the end of 2020, the prosecutor had to ask for archiving because the crime, having passed 26 years, is prescribed. Has this affair damaged you politically?
(The smile disappears from the mayor’s mouth, ed). “No comment”.
14 August 2018, 11.36 am. Do you remember the moment when the news of the collapse of the Morandi arrived?
“I remember the moment. I was driving between the Metropolitan City and the Municipality. He calls me a policeman: a piece of the bridge collapsed. I thought two meters. I was thinking of a balustrade. “200 meters collapsed”, they told me instead ».
And how did you react?
“At first I thought of some kind of terrorist attack. At 12.03 we launched the emergency. After that I realized that there were a lot of deaths. The first press conference was at 2.30pm. The tension was very high. And I said the city wasn’t on its knees. It was a phrase that gave everyone an opportunity to roll up their sleeves, because discouragement was overwhelming us ».
Oh crying?
“Many times. Because? It was an internal emotion in the face of such a great tragedy ».
Who has those 43 dead on their conscience?
“Many people. It’s not up to me to decide. It is their conscience that will tell. “
On 3 August 2020, designed by a great Genoese like Renzo Piano, the new bridge was inaugurated. What struck you in your relationship with the architect and senator for life?
«The day after the tragedy, Piano phones me to ask for details. He and I were already friends. I tell him where the city was. And I ask him: “But why don’t you design the bridge for me?”. Five days later he sent me the drawing: the first sketch by mail. In the close development of the new pylons there was the concept of the project: “cian cianin”, step by step ».
Come thanked the teacher?
«We are Genoese: I said thank you. We have a special relationship. We have a lot of fun putting the biggest flag on top of the mast of our respective boats ».
«I HAVE ALWAYS LISTENED TO DE ANDRÉ: IT IS THE DNA OF THE GENOESE. CRICKET? HIS MOVEMENT HAS CRACKED BECAUSE PEOPLE NO LONGER BELIEVE IN IT: YOU CANNOT ASK FOR THE HAPPY DECREASE, WE ARE TIRED OF GENTLEMEN NO “
De André or Gino Paoli?
“I’ve always listened to De André: he is the DNA of the Genoese, in words, music and behavior”.
In politics he has a particular fellow citizen: beloved or hated, Beppe Grillo. What relationship do you have?
“Nobody”.
But he too was a great manager, creating a party from scratch and bringing it above 32% …
«Grillo is not a manager. He is a leader. There is a big difference. His management didn’t work and the movement collapsed ».
The reason?
“Because people don’t believe it anymore. Happy degrowth cannot be asked for. We are tired of the gentlemen no ».
Can you see it in Parliament?
“I don’t think so.”
What will he do when he grows up?
«I am going around Ulysses in my boat: I am already studying it. I want to do all the stages of the Odyssey. But Penelope I already carry her with me ».
June 7, 2022 (change June 7, 2022 | 08:09)
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