Italy small towns use horse rider as symbol against high fuel costs

Massimiliano Accetturo, a resident of Rocchetta Sant’Antonio, has become a symbolic figure in a protest against rising fuel costs in Italy's small, rural municipalities. After local fuel prices exceeded two euros per liter, Accetturo began using his horse, Maja, for daily errands to avoid unsustainable transportation costs.

The Coordinamento Nazionale Piccoli Comuni Italiani has officially designated Accetturo and Maja as spokespeople for the struggle facing residents of internal areas. The organization highlights that in towns with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, automobiles are a necessity rather than a choice due to insufficient public transport, yet fuel costs and limited competition at local stations create significant economic burdens for families and businesses.