Catanzaro Court deliberates on Tropea mayor's eligibility

The Catanzaro Court of Appeal has reserved its decision regarding the political eligibility of Tropea Mayor Giovanni Macrì. The court is reviewing a previous ruling from the Vibo Valentia Civil Court, which declared Macrì ineligible to run for office for two consecutive election cycles.

The legal proceedings stem from the April 2024 dissolution of Tropea's municipal administration due to mafia infiltration, a move sanctioned by the Council of Ministers and upheld by both the Lazio TAR and the Council of State.

First-instance judges identified significant omissions and a failure to fulfill official duties. The ruling cited mismanagement that allegedly favored local clans, including the direct assignment of numerous public works contracts without competitive bidding. Additional evidence cited in the initial case included alleged electoral support from a local 'ndrangheta boss in 2018, the mayor's personal purchase of a vehicle previously owned by said boss, and social connections between the families of the mayor, a local assessor, and the criminal figure.