Cateno De Luca drives Sicilian party power struggles in Messina and Palermo

In Messina, fifteen days after Federico Basile was elected mayor, the new municipal council has not been formed. Former centre‑right mayoral candidate Marcello Scurria criticised the delay, saying it stems from internal negotiations over posts within the winning party rather than any lack of majority. Six assessors had already been named during the campaign, but intra‑party rivalries are now slowing the appointment process.

Meanwhile, Cateno De Luca, leader of the Sud chiama Nord movement, denounced Palermo mayor Roberto Lagalla and announced that on 18 July he will present a “government of liberation” in Palermo. De Luca plans to invite all regional parties, charge a €100 admission fee, and keep the event off social media. He also said a new mayoral candidate will be unveiled on 1 July and called for both centre‑right and centre‑left forces to rally behind his platform, while criticizing regional president Renato Schifani’s leadership.