Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio expressed perplexity over the house arrest of Liguria Region President Giovanni Toti in a major corruption investigation. He emphasized the importance of the presumption of innocence and due legal process in such cases. Nordio questioned the timing of the arrests, which occurred years after the alleged crimes were committed, and expressed concerns about adopting such measures after such a long period of time.
Vice Premier Antonio Tajani also advocated for a strict adherence to the presumption of innocence, stating that a person is only guilty once convicted in the third degree of judgment. He expressed optimism that Toti would prove his innocence and highlighted the importance of respecting due legal process. Maurizio Lupi, leader of Noi Moderati, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to trust the judicial system and the principle of presumption of innocence until a final verdict is reached.
Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida described the accusations against Toti as serious, coming just 20 days before the election. He expressed confidence in the legal system and hoped that Toti would be able to prove his innocence. Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party called for Toti’s resignation if the accusations were confirmed, citing the gravity of the situation and the political necessity of stepping down in such cases.
The Democratic Party and the 5 Star Movement requested a government briefing on the situation in Liguria, expressing concern over the institutional crisis and the potential impact on investments linked to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Giuseppe Conte of the 5 Star Movement called on Toti to take responsibility for the accusations and protect the integrity of the institutions. He urged citizens to vote in large numbers to combat corruption.
Matteo Renzi of Italia Viva reiterated his support for the presumption of innocence and emphasized the need to respect the constitution and legal process in such cases. He refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigations and arrests, highlighting the importance of awaiting court verdicts before making judgments. Nicola Fratoianni of Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra stressed the importance of returning the decision-making power to the voters in such situations.
