Calenda and La Vardera Pledge Continued Collaboration for Sicily
– Carlo Calenda, leader of the Azione party, has affirmed his commitment to working alongside Ismaele La Vardera on initiatives aimed at improving Sicily. The statement comes after La Vardera signaled his intention to dedicate himself to regional issues.
“With La Vardera, we have fought important battles together on legality and transparency,” Calenda said, according to a report from Adnkronos. “The fact that he wants to commit himself to his region seems to me like excellent news. We will work together for Sicily.”
This pledge of continued collaboration builds on a history of joint efforts, particularly concerning the controversial concessions for the lidos of Mondello, a beach area in Palermo. Both Calenda and La Vardera have been vocal critics of the current arrangements, which involve the Italo-Belga company.
In October 2025, Calenda publicly questioned the fairness of a situation where a single entity holds a long-term concession for Mondello, reportedly spending 50,000 euros while generating substantial revenue and allegedly employing relatives of individuals linked to organized crime. He challenged the lack of further action following initial scrutiny, questioning whether the problem was simply revoking the concession.
Calenda also criticized Renato Schifani, the President of the Sicilian Region, accusing him of oppressing Sicilians and characterizing the Mondello situation as emblematic of broader issues within the region – namely, political appointments based on affiliation rather than merit. He stated Schifani “atteggia a re della Sicilia” – acts as if he is the king of Sicily – and pledged to continue engaging with the Sicilian people, visiting Palermo monthly to discuss regional concerns.
La Vardera, a regional deputy and leader of the Controcorrente movement, echoed these sentiments, describing a “silence” from regional institutions regarding the Mondello situation as “omertà istituzionale” – institutional silence. He also indicated the discovery of further concerning details surrounding the Italo-Belga company.
A sit-in organized by La Vardera in front of Palazzo d’Orleans, the seat of the Sicilian Regional Government, reportedly drew over 200 participants, uniting people and political forces in their shared concern.
The criticisms extend beyond the Mondello concessions. In September 2025, Calenda reportedly challenged Schifani’s management of regional appointments, alleging they were used as leverage for political favors within Forza Italia. He also voiced support for La Vardera’s proposal to abolish the secret ballot within the Sicilian Regional Assembly, describing it as a practice that enables undue influence and potential blackmail.
Calenda further criticized a recent appointment to the Azienda Siciliana Trasporti (Sicilian Transport Company), alleging the position was given to the son of Raffaele Genovese due to political connections, rather than experience. He asserted that during his time as a minister, he never appointed anyone he had known beforehand.
The ongoing scrutiny of regional governance in Sicily, fueled by the collaborative efforts of figures like Calenda and La Vardera, highlights concerns about transparency, accountability, and the influence of political affiliations in key decision-making processes. An investigation into allegedly rigged public contracts in Sicily is also adding pressure to the political landscape, with the coming weeks expected to clarify the positions of those under investigation and any potential political consequences.
