New mayor of Enna defends salary, cites regional law

Enna's newly elected mayor, Vladimiro Crisafulli, a 75-year-old veteran politician, is facing scrutiny over his salary, which has been set at 9,660 euros per month gross. Crisafulli, who prefers to be called Mirello, defended the adjustment, stating it is a legal requirement and not a personal increase he sought.

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It bothers me, and a lot, that people are counting my pockets...

"It bothers me, and a lot, that people are counting my pockets... I haven't increased anything myself," Crisafulli asserted. He explained that the salary is subject to a 43% tax deduction, significantly reducing his net earnings. The adjustment, he noted, amounts to approximately 350 euros gross per month for each official.

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I haven't increased anything myself, the adjustment is provided for by regional law and then it's gross money, you have to deduct 43%. The increase for each was about 350 euros gross per month...

Crisafulli, who has been in politics for over 40 years and identifies as a proud communist, also draws income from his previous political roles. He receives a gross monthly pension of 2,000 euros as a former parliamentarian and another 5,000 euros gross from the Sicilian Region. His election as mayor, which he won with over 64% of the vote in the first round, has placed him at the center of local political discussions, particularly regarding the economic revitalization of Enna.

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I remain proudly communist and Enna is the reddest area in Sicily.

Despite being unable to run under the Democratic Party (PD) symbol due to being deemed out of sync with the party's renewal efforts, Crisafulli remains defiant. He expressed confidence in his ability to challenge the current political landscape, drawing parallels with other regional leaders. His immediate concerns for Enna include establishing a 700-bed hospital and reopening the Pergusa racetrack, aiming to inject new life into the city.

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They say I am old, but I am younger than them! I sometimes talk with Massimo D'Alema: he is more confident than me about the possibility of beating Meloni in 2027. I, on the other hand, think that the broad field is still too narrow: we need to break the perimeter, as in Enna.