President Meloni’s statement on the anniversary of the assassination of Piersanti Mattarella

Today, Italy honours the memory of Piersanti Mattarella, who was killed by the mafia in Palermo on 6 January 1980. He is one of the many heroes who, with their courage and integrity, have shown the Italian people that it is possible to fight organised crime and handle public affairs without giving in to the foulness of moral compromise. Forty-four years have passed since his sacrifice, but time has not in the least diminished the strength of Piersanti Mattarella’s example. It is also in his name that we will continue our daily commitment to rid our homeland of the mafia ‘cancer’, once and for all.

[Courtesy translation]