Salerno Mayor faces scrutiny over Florence travel expenses

A political controversy has emerged in Salerno regarding the use of public funds for the travel expenses of Mayor Vincenzo De Luca. Official documents from the Municipality of Salerno reveal a budget of 1,200 euros, plus 32 euros in tourist taxes, to cover hotel stays in Florence on October 2, 3, 9, and 10.

Opposition councilors from Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (AVS), including Franco Massimo Lanocita and Rino Avella, have raised concerns that the trip may be for political rather than institutional purposes. They suspect the Mayor is attending the ‘Leopolda’ political convention, hosted by Matteo Renzi’s Italia Viva. The opposition argues that under the Consolidated Law on Local Authorities (TUEL) and Court of Auditors principles, public funds cannot be used for purely partisan or personal activities.

The municipality has justified the expenditure, stating the four-star hotel in Florence's historic center was selected based on organizational needs, security, and privacy, noting it was the most convenient option among those considered.