Sergio Mattarella of the Republic, as usual, gave his end-of-year speech to the Italians on television; the first of his second term. Sixteen minutes in which the head of state it touched on various and meaningful topics, especially relating to facts and situations that occurred in 2022, which has just ended. Below are some excerpts from the speech.

Mattarella's speech to the Italians

In his speech addressed to all Italians, Mattarella spoke of political events, of the political elections, of the new government led for the first time by a woman. “This – she said – is a novelty of great social and cultural significance, which has been mature in our country for some time, and has now become a reality. Recognizing the complexity, exercising responsibility for choices, confronting the limits imposed by a reality increasingly characterized by global phenomena. From the pandemic to war, from the energy crisis to the food crisis, from climate change to migratory phenomena.

Italian rolling pin
The President of the Republic delivering his end-of-year address to the nation

The concreteness of reality has thus summoned everyone to responsibility and urges everyone to apply themselves to the urgency of problems that await answers. Our democracy has therefore proved, once again, to be a mature, accomplished democracy, also thanks to this experience, acquired by all, of representing and governing a large country. This awareness, while respecting the dialectic between the majority and the opposition, leads to a common vision of our democratic system, to respect for rules that cannot be disregarded, for everyone's role in the political life of the Republic. This corresponds to the spirit of the Constitution”.

The Constitution

The president reiterated: “The Constitution remains our compass, respecting it is our primary duty; mine too. In these hours, thoughts cannot get away from the war that is bloodying our continent. 2022 was the year of the crazy war unleashed by the Russian Federation. The response from Italy, Europe and the West was full support for the attacked country and for the Ukrainian people, who are courageously defending their freedom and rights.

quirinal registration
The recording of the end-of-year speech at the Quirinale

If this was the year of the war, we must concentrate our efforts so that 2023 is the year of the end of hostilities, of the silence of the weapons, of the cessation of this inhuman trail of blood, of deaths, of suffering. Peace is a founding part of European identity and, since the beginning of the conflict, Europe has been looking for openings to achieve it in justice and freedom. Pope Francis constantly exhorts peace to whom I address, with great affection, a grateful greeting, expressing to him Italy's heartfelt condolences for the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI”.

The hope of peace

"Hope for peace is also founded on the rejection of a vision that makes history go back, of an obscurantism out of time and out of reason. It is above all based on the strength of freedom. On the will to affirm the civilization of rights. Something that is rooted in the hearts of women and men. Even stronger in the new generations. The young women of Iran testify to this with their courage. Afghan women fighting for their freedom. Those Russian boys who defy repression to say no to war”.  

rolling pin speech
The head of state

Country unity

“The last few years have been tough. What we have experienced has caused or aggravated social tensions, fractures, poverty. From Covid, unfortunately not yet definitively defeated, we have learned lessons not to be forgotten. We have understood that science, civil institutions, concrete solidarity are precious resources of a community, and the more effective they are the more they are able to integrate and support each other. The more they produce trust and responsibility in people. It is necessary to work so that the irreplaceable garrison of unity of the country represented by the National Health Service is strengthened, increasingly placing the person and his concrete needs at the centre, in the territory in which he lives”.

Work and dignity

“Lack of work takes away rights and dignity: the price we pay for unemployment and precariousness is still too high. Above all, the condition of many children in difficulty is alarming. Child poverty, from the beginning of the global crisis of 2008 to today, has quadrupled. The differences related to social, economic, organizational and health factors between the different territories of our country - between the North and the South, for the smaller islands, for the inland areas - create injustices, harm the right to equality. The Constitution still guides us, where it prescribes that the Republic must remove the economic and social obstacles that harm people's rights, their full realization. Without distinction".

Mattarella to the Italians: "We are all the Republic"

“We are the Republic: the State in its articulations, the Regions, the Municipalities, the Provinces. The institutions, the Government, the Parliament. Women and men who work in public administration. Intermediate bodies, associations. The vitality of the third sector, the generosity of volunteering. The Republic – our homeland – is made up of women and men who are committed to their families. It is in the civic sense of those who pay taxes because this serves to make Italy work and therefore for the common good. It is in the sacrifice of those who, wearing a uniform, risk to ensure everyone's safety. In Italy as in many international missions. And, again, it is in the fatigue of those who work and in the anxiety of those looking for work. In the commitment of those who study. In the spirit of solidarity of those who care for others. In the initiative of those who do business and create jobs”.

(Source of texts and photos from quirinale.it)

Mattarella to the Italians: "The Constitution is our compass" last edit: 2023-01-01T09:45:51+01:00 da Staff

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