(4:57)
Casini said to Santoro, in front of millions of Italians, that he would “Accept the political responsibility” of putting forward Cuffaro as a candidate “before the country” if it should happen that Vasavasa {Cuffaro} is convicted. And he added “I would be in the condition of asking for forgiveness”. Sicily is an important reserve of votes for the UDC. Cuffaro as President of the Region was a guarantee for the elections. Casini has raked in the election result. This is the story in its simplicity. Now that Cuffaro is in prison, Azzurro Caltagirone should have the dignity to resign. Obviously he’s not even considering it.
A citizen went up to him in the street: “Three years ago I asked you why you were putting forward Cuffaro as a candidate and you defended him ferociously. Today would you make a declaration asking for forgiveness from your voters and the Italian people?” The response is worthy of one of Forlani’s pupils (do you remember? the one with the bib in the tribunal?): “I believe that Cuffaro is giving a lesson of enormous dignity. He has not even waited for the Senate to establish sending him to prison (remember that we are talking about a prison sentence of seven years for aggravated aiding and abetting of Cosa Nostra). He presented himself thus showing he had confidence in the magistracy (?). I believe that he has demonstrated that with a sentence of this type there is a style and a respect for the institutions. We have to acknowledge that.”
Summarising the Casini-thought: Cuffaro has dignity because he didn’t run away. He has confidence in the judges who have absolutely no confidence in him and who have convicted him at all three levels of justice. He has style and respect for the institutions that he is number one in sullying by his behaviour. But above all, Casini is glued to the armchair. He doesn’t reckon he has any political responsibility. What’s he got to do with it? He’s not called Salvatore. He hangs on to the votes and the other guy hangs on to prison. Let’s give Pierferdinando the benefit of the doubt. But also in this case they shouldn’t even have trusted him with Mubarak’s presumed-niece. Who will put forward Pierferdinando the next time? The man who while he was the President of the Lower House, in 2004 provided his support and his expression of esteem for Marcello Dell'Utri on the eve of his conviction at the first level for external collaboration in mafia association issued by the Palermo tribunal? It is said that Follini has been charged with scouting in the Tribunals of the Republic to promote new faces for politics. One or at maximum, two levels of judgement, respect for the institutions, unending dignity and an electoral college to bring with you as a dowry. A legislature for sale, negotiations reserved. When I listen to Casini I always ask myself the same question. Which came first his arse or his face?