Messina district councilors protest Carrubba directive

District councilors in Messina have launched a cross-party protest against a directive issued by General Secretary and Director Rossana Carrubba. The directive, circular number 4 dated August 12, requires councilors to route their reports and communications through the presidents of their respective districts.

Opponents, including councilors Alessandro Cacciotto and Salvatore Scandurra, have labeled the directive a “bavaglio” (gag). They argue that the measure undermines the dignity of democratically elected political officials by subjecting them to administrative oversight. The protesters maintain that a municipal manager or director does not have the authority to issue directives to political bodies.

The initiative is described as a non-partisan effort to reaffirm the role of district councilors and ensure they can communicate directly with the administration without needing a president's countersignature, a requirement they claim is not supported by existing regulations.