Messina Strait Bridge CEO Pietro Ciucci faces resignation calls amid corruption probe

Former Messina mayor Renato Accorinti and anti‑bridge activists demanded that Pietro Ciucci, the chief executive of the Stretto di Messina company, step down or be removed following a Rome prosecutor investigation into alleged corruption and breach of official secrecy linked to the Strait of Messina bridge project. Ciucci responded that the company is “totally unrelated” to the allegations, expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities, and affirmed the firm’s commitment to build the bridge in accordance with parliamentary and government directives and the Court of Audit's requirements.

The probe also involves a former magistrate of the Court of Auditors. Critics, including provincial PD secretary Armando Hyerace, accused the project of being a waste of public funds and called for the mayor to suspend participation in company boards. The Court of Auditors previously highlighted irregularities in the project’s contracts and financing, noting that the company should have been liquidated in 2013 but political decisions delayed that outcome until recent government revivals of the plan.