Verona Discontent as Brescia Dominates Garda Community Board
Election Results and Relationships Between Territorial Areas
Veronese attendees are dissatisfied and disappointed after the renewal of the board and the election of the Brescia representative Giuseppe Mongiello as president of the Garda Community.
The election outcome saw a diminished Veronese presence, with the number of representatives on the board reduced from four to two: only Antonio Pasotti of Bardolino was re-elected, and he will be joined by the new elected Giovanni Zappalà, mayor of Brenzone.
This result highlights that something did not work within the agreement established between Veronese and Brescian territories, the two main regional areas around Lake Garda.
Obstacles and Issues in Organization
The agreement in question stipulated that the Lombards would hold the presidency, while the Venetians would maintain at least three of the four seats on the steering committee.
While everything went relatively smoothly for the election of the president, with Mongiello receiving 36 favorable votes and 18 abstentions, the surprise came during the ballot count for the board, where the top preferences favored three candidates from the Brescia area.
This outcome was thus punishing for the Veronese faction, which had to relinquish two seats to ensure representation for Trentino and Brescia.
Reactions and Calls for Rebalancing
“Verona should have been better represented,” states Giovanni Zappalà, expressing satisfaction for the support received from colleagues but regret over how the community board is constituted, “imbalanced in favor of the Brescian representatives.”
He adds, “I hope that through agreements we can reach a rebalancing of the situation.”
Similarly, Antonio Pasotti, confirmed in his role as “tourism responsible,” shares his view: “I believe that in these past four years I have made efforts to contribute, and I hope they are recognized,” he emphasizes.
Emerging Issues and Reform Proposals
Discussing what emerged from last week’s assembly, Pasotti is concerned about “the clashes that have been triggered and the statements from some representatives that threaten to withdraw from the community entity.”
The same new president, Mongiello, admits to a fundamental sense of dissatisfaction, recognizing that the Veronese territory is underrepresented after the renewal of the board.
“It will be the commitment of everyone to find,” Mongiello says by phone, “adequate solutions to fill the gap and to better involve Venetian representation.”
Future Prospects and Statute Reforms
Focusing on what will generally be the next commitments and directions of the renewed Community, Mongiello emphasizes the “necessity to amend the statute due to the fragility of the organization.”
“It’s essential,” he points out, “to recover certain aspects that will strengthen the Community, moving from a coordinating body to a possible company of Municipalities in managing some services, without competing with other entities or institutional bodies.”
In summary, to give new life to the community organization that represents the institutions around Garda Lake.