Desenzano Social Centers Face Vote Reforms Amid Participation Concerns
“The proposal to impose a qualified majority for the election of the Committee is a democratic choice that empowers users by openly asking them to express interest in a self-governance decision.” The response from the social services councilor of the Comune di Desenzano, Valentino Marostica, to the controversy sparked by the president of the social center’s organizing committee, Enrico Cugini, was swift. Cugini argued that the draft modification of the current regulation, approved by the Commissione servizi sociali and to be ratified in the city council chamber, is nothing more than “a quick move to appoint a friendly committee close to the administration, rather than one democratically elected by the seniors with voting rights.” The councilor notes: “First and foremost, it should be remembered that social centers are a significant cost for Desenzano. It is legitimate for the Municipality to seek to maximize benefits for its citizens.”
Unfortunately, the results are not always up to expectations, particularly regarding the Desenzano social center, where participation, despite a large user base and the quality of the facility, remains rather low. The organizing committee should ask itself why, starting with its president,” Marostica states. He makes specific accusations: “I had to step in to resolve disputes between the two responsible figures of the center, something that the committee and especially its president should have handled.”
The new quorum, raised to 50 percent of eligible voters, required to elect the next committee, is seen as an attempt to politically seize control of the Desenzano social center committees. “It is evident that something is not working,” the councilor replies, “and the Administration’s concern is to foster a constructive collaboration between the municipality and the organizing committee, ensuring maximum transparency towards all users and avoiding the formation of circles, which effectively exclude those who do not belong.”
If the users, as Cugini worries, do not mostly participate in voting, then it is better that their representation be entrusted to a truly representative committee of Desenzano’s realities, rather than to a minority that imposes itself simply because it is organized,” Marostica concludes. He adds: “If Cugini and the other members of the committee, who certainly have merits, are reappointed, we are ready to continue the collaboration.”
