The thermometer in Bari today climbed to 32ºC and, clearly, that was the only number President Vendola "perceived." There are no alternatives to seriousness and responsibility, they are the fundamental tenets of the central government's action - tenets that should also define the action of regional governments as well. If political considerations come before the hard facts, as would seem unfortunately to be the case in Puglia, there is the risk of ending up as in Greece. But as we have clearly said, our Government intends to prevent that from happening.
President Vendola seems to have forgotten that over the past year the Government has been very helpful with his Region on a good number of issues. Consider, for example, the Repayment Plan. We granted a first extension of the deadline with the 2010 Budget, and we announced last night, to President Vendola himself, that if the Regional Council is in a position to provide a sound financial management and to meet the other conditions required by law, we are willing to re-negotiate the terms of the Repayment Plan once again. All we ask in return is a more serious approach, one based on solid numbers. If President Vendola wishes to dodge the issue, preferring to go by a Greek rationale, that it is he who is the real saboteur, damaging himself and his Region.