Mimmo Lucano is voting for Ranucci. But he warns: “Politics comes at a price”

Rome. The Honourable Sigfrido Ranucci? Who knows. Perhaps much more than that. Speaking of the now former presenter of “Report”, comrade Mimmo Lucano takes us to Cuba. “Ernesto Che Guevara said that the truth is revolutionary.” Is Ranucci revolutionary too? “I recognise in him great consistency in the realm of journalism when it comes to pursuing the truth and exposing national and international power structures. For me, over the years, this has been his role and that of his programme,” replies the mayor of Riace, the MEP representing the AVS party. He speaks to Il Foglio on the day that Ranucci, who is his friend, is the star guest at the event organised by Fratoianni and Bonelli. Meanwhile, rumours and half-denials abound, alongside flattering opinion polls confirming the popularity of the journalist of the moment. Two days ago, he also attended the Roman left-wing rally in Garbatella. He has been promoting his book and has become something of a symbol on the left: a CV for a candidate? “But making the leap into politics is a very delicate matter,” warns Lucano. From enemies, certainly, but also from friends, and this time it’s not just about Lavitola’s clams. “Politics encompasses everything; it comes at a price.” (Montenegro continues on page four)

To tell the truth, until a few weeks ago Lucano was hoping – and he said so to this very newspaper – that Ranucci would enter the fray, alongside Avs. “If only. It would be an honour to share certain battles with a man like him.” Today, he is a little more cautious about the candidacy. But certainly, regarding the whole “Report” affair, the mayor of Riace has not changed his convictions. “I’ve formed my own opinion, as an ordinary citizen. I’m openly siding with Ranucci, because I know how the system of power works in Italy. I’ve suffered it myself, in exactly the same way.” According to Lucano, “Ranucci has touched a raw nerve and this was the reaction. The world of journalism is ruthless.” And now, so the reasoning goes, they’re making him pay for it.

The MEP from Avs, who is averse to the formalities of Rome’s political circles, rewinds the tape. “I remember when I was just a rank-and-file left-wing activist; back then, there was alternative media. It was a system dedicated to the search for truth, which is a mission”. Today, in place of those newspapers, leaflets and posters, here is Ranucci. A modern-day Che Guevara, who in his book denounces ‘Il ritorno della casta’. Lucano reiterates: ‘The truth is revolutionary, but we are always one step away from reaching it. I want to be clear.’ Please. ‘I am by no means so presumptuous as to claim certainty.’ On Report, however, the mayor of Riace does not seem to harbour too many doubts. “Over all these years, the Rai programme has been a thorn in the side of powers based on corruption, on the preservation of those privileges that always benefit those with vast financial resources.” These are battles that can still be fought, by other means. Through politics. And setting aside the (routine?) denials, AVS has in recent years been characterised by certain high-profile candidacies – the sort that shake things up. Let us try one last time: would Lucano put Ranucci forward as a candidate? “It’s already happened with some magistrates, when they chose to get involved with political parties. Politics could cause Ranucci even more problems”. But also many votes – certainly that of the mayor of Riace.

Ruggiero Montenegro