Author: Rosanna Turcinovich Giuricin

In the new designs of regional politics, some positions appear and others disappear, at least officially. One of the most notable results was achieved by Isontino which managed to express a councilor: Rodolfo Ziberna, from Gorizia. Now, however, to keep faith with a commitment that does not allow conflicts and overlaps, he has resigned from various positions held over the years, including that of President of the ANVGD of his city, in which he has been active for decades, first alongside figures such as Apollonio and then in the position of highest representative. What causes the conflict of interest? “By law,” Ziberna replies, “a councilor cannot lead an association that has more than 10 percent of regional contributions. I am therefore resigning due to legal obligations but also ethical ones, I am leaving the UPI and also the role of municipal councilor entrusted to me a year ago. I believe that the role of advisor will absorb time and energy and it is a role that I intend to carry out with the utmost coherence". A radical change of life… “Practically a stop to everything I have done up to now and, if the Serracchiani proposal were to pass, I would also lose out financially. But my candidacy in the ranks of the PDL was born from the desire to try my hand at something that I am passionate about, especially in the relationship with the territory. I will choose to work in two commissions, the first, budget and finance, in which I feel I can give a lot even though it is a difficult but concrete, decisive sector. The other one, I hope, is culture, sport and tourism, which are definitely up my alley. This is what I hope for in order to respond coherently to those who voted for me." Does politics pay today? “I wouldn’t say so. There has never been a political class so delegitimized, a terrible financial situation, a dramatic budget but with high expectations for which it will be necessary to operate in all directions giving concreteness to the concept of politics as a service. I hope I can offer my best right now, being in opposition." How do you evaluate the role of President Serracchiani? “Every change provokes a reaction, it’s a physical law, but then people get used to it. I think it started with some positive attitudes, for example going to meet the mayors and prefects in the individual cities, entering directly into the heart of the problems at a local level. The move that does not convince me is that of having reduced the number of councilors and then assigning the roles for the Board to outsiders who nullify the effort of numerical reduction. He made a quality choice, but the question is legitimate: does he not trust the elected officials of his party? However, the judgment will come with time." What will happen now with the ANVGD of Gorizia? “The new president will be appointed in May. I put pressure on my sister Grazia, who has been working with the Committee for a long time. She is a history teacher and has written publications about our events. At his side I would see Guido Rumici, both professors, well-known, already inside things. I will stay to help. But not as Honorary President, I would feel like an old man, let's not joke." Do you see a future for associations in the world of exiles? “What we are facing, in my opinion, is the classic growth criticality. After decades of living in an enclave, suddenly with the law of Remembrance and the law for government-funded activity, we became protagonists, after so much silence the limelight. The media has jumped on the idea of ​​our divided world. What matters to us, however, is the relationship with the institutions, which is of great esteem and consideration towards us". Don't you think a strategy is necessary at this point? "There is. We want to get to the creation of a foundation as soon as possible, to protect ourselves from a possible funding crisis and organize our future. A foundation along the lines of those of banks that invests only the interests of a capital that for us should be that deposited by Slovenia after the dissolution of Yugoslavia to account for what it had committed to pay for our assets. It is essential to identify strong projects that allow us to support the Italian communities to maintain the testimony of our existence on site. We are counting on the help of the Government which will have to establish new collaborations with the reference countries. All this to keep the flame of a scattered people alive. The rest will be entrusted to entrepreneurship that Croatia's entry into the EU should favor. Then there is the possibility of accessing European funding together, exiles, the Italian community, and the Slovenian minority". The economy as a driving force for a new season of relationships? “In love and war you have to use the right weapons. Today this is the driving force of dialogue between the different realities, it is right to manage it in the best way. I imagine a GECT Istria that includes us, using institutions and people in a synergy between cities like Venice, Trieste and Gorizia, the Croatian reality, the Slovenian one and up to Dalmatia, partners the minorities, Italian and Slovenian. There are only 16 EGTCs in Europe that are still able to obtain funding. We have to leave now.