by In Trieste
Francesco Russo is one of the major players in this weekend’s mayoral elections in Trieste. Supported by PD (Partito Democratico), Russo promises to make Trieste the city for the young and ambitious once again.
What’s your background?
I am a father of four and an Associate Professor at the University of Udine. After years in the parliament in Rome, I came back to Trieste and worked as a vice president of Area Science park. However the passion for politics never left me. To be the mayor of a city, as my dear friend Beppe Sala (mayor of Milan, ed.) says, is the hardest job there is, but I am ready to take on this challenge.
What particular issues make up your platform?
I realize that my generation has a big responsibility. My parents are enjoying their cushy retirement, but it’s not going to be the same for my generation, let alone for the generation of my kids. Our goal is to create the new ruling class which knows how to build a brighter future and takes the younger generation into account. The most important challenge is to be able to create work opportunities for the young so they won’t need to leave, but will be able to stay here and make Trieste the place to be once again. One of my ambitions is to bring Trieste its past glory.
How?
I am the first to have candidates from Istira on my lists. I believe in metropolitan Trieste, which gives voice to people from Monfalcone to Rijeka. Once Trieste becomes inclusive, the contact with Brussels will be established and thus our city will be able to receive European funds.
How do you see Trieste in 2-3 years?
Big projects can’t be carried out that fast. I see Trieste changed in 20 years. My biggest ambition is to be able to say after 5 years in the office Trieste became the place where dreams come true for Italians from south to north, as well as for European citizens. In the 800s Trieste got to be exactly that by attracting investments from abroad and luring talents from all over the world. In recent years Trieste has lost its former glory as almost 30 thousand Triestini have emigrated. This needs to stop, as old ways need to be challenged to make room for the new.
Francesco Russo is one of the 10 mayoral candidates running in the mayoral elections to be held in Trieste 3-4 October.
