Taranto Mayor Resigns Amid Fierce Ilva Protests
“Political Unusability” Cited After Confrontation with Environmental Groups
Taranto’s center-left mayor, Piero Bitetti, has abruptly resigned less than two months into his term, citing “political unusability.” The decision follows a volatile confrontation with environmental associations deeply concerned about the former Ilva steel plant.
Protesters Block Mayor’s Exit
Following a meeting with environmental groups to discuss a government decarbonization agreement, Mayor Bitetti found himself trapped in the Palazzo di Città. Protesters, calling the mayor and officials “killers,” prevented his departure, forcing him to return inside for his own safety.
Mayor of Taranto, Piero Bitetti, resigns just under two months after election due to “political unusability” following protests over the former Ilva plant. Key votes on decarbonization are approaching. #Taranto #Ilva #Italy
— World-Today-News (@WorldTodayNews) May 15, 2024
During the tense standoff, Mayor Bitetti acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “Have respect for our gaps. We are taking notes to understand every aspect of this complex dispute.
” He had offered to meet with association representatives the following morning.
Concerns Over Ilva’s Future
Mayor Bitetti had previously voiced concerns about a proposed 13-year transition period for the Ilva plant, deeming it insufficient. He emphasized his commitment to defending the territory and highlighted the urgency for a more “respectful direction” in addressing the issue.
“We are here to defend the territory. I did not spend only one night from June 17, the day of my proclamation, without thinking about the former Ilva. The first draft agreement was sent to us on June 18 with a request for approval in 48 hours. We said that the 13 years of transition proposed are too many. We need a more respectful direction.”
—Piero Bitetti, Mayor of Taranto
Pediatrician Annamaria Moschetti, representing the Cultural Association of Pediatricians and Peacelink, highlighted alarming health data, noting “irrefutable data: +50% of autism spectrum disorders compared to the province.
” She argued that the precautionary principle necessitates halting operations pending further scientific study.
Institutional Void Looms
Mayor Bitetti‘s resignation comes just before critical municipal council sessions scheduled for July 30 and a summit at the Ministry of Economic Development on July 31, both focused on the decarbonization agreement. His departure risks creating an institutional vacuum at a pivotal moment for Taranto’s future. Italian law requires the mayor to confirm or withdraw his resignation within 20 days.
The situation in Taranto underscores the complex challenges of industrial transition and public health, as seen in other industrial hubs like the Ruhr Valley in Germany, which has invested heavily in transforming its former coal mining regions into green energy centers, a process that took decades and significant public investment to mitigate the environmental and social impacts (DW, 2024).