Voci dal Titano/3: Intervista a Giovanni Lonfernini 
In about 72 hours after the new year, published the third interview of the series "Voices from the Titan," which aims to gather evidence by political figures of the small republic on Mount Titano.
I wish that these interviews were helpful to anyone wishing to truly understand the political thought of this country. A thought far from obvious and more often stifled by the events and stories that have little to do with real politics. One made of proposals and initiatives. A policy that speaks of land, investment and people who live on a small hill in the middle of Europe.
This is an important point. Too often, our leadership forget that San Marino is a small town in Italy.
The Republic of San Marino, is a historic and proud independent country in central Europe. When it comes to history and democracy, size matters little.
Back to us, now hear the thoughts of John Lonfernini.
He served as Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino from October 2003 to April 2004, along with Valeria Ciavatta. He is a member of the Group of the Democratic Centre.
Political Secretary of the Christian Democratic Party Sammarinese from 'April 2002 to February 2005. Secretary of State for Culture from February 2005 to July 2006.
After a strong period of confrontation with the leadership of the Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party, along with Pier Marino Mularoni colleagues, Rosa and Cesare Antonio Gasperoni Zafferani founded March 26, 2007 This Working Party of the Democratic Centre.
He served as Coordinator of the Movement "People's Party" from 27 September 2007 to April 2010.
was President of the Permanent Council on Foreign and Political Affairs since January 2008. Re-elected Great and General Council, the list of the Democratic Centre, at the general election of November 9, 2008.
E 'Chairman of the Advisory Group in May 2010 by the DoC.
In an interview released in the days scorsi sulla Voce di Romagna, lei ha parlato di “Paese alll'angolo”, paventando il rischio di uno scontro sociale dopo l'attuazione della prossima finanziaria. Nel testo, lei parla della necessità di trasparenza finanziaria e anche di integrazione con i sistemi economici esterni. Altri politici sammarinesi si sono però rivelati molto diffidenti e pessimisti su questi fronti. Cosa ne pensa?
Si tratta di un percorso ineluttabile. Chi ancora continua a vivere sul ricordo dei “famosi capisaldi degli anni 90” è pericolosamente fuori tempo. Più che diffidenza e pessimismo vedo in alcuni settori, non solo della politica, una mutazione gattopardesca pathetic in some ways.
I mean who in 2006 led to pressure to blast the agreements were signed with Italy in the field of economic cooperation, leading to link the ratification of the agreement already signed double taxation, and now plays the role of champion of transparency. The signature should be the first step of a broader strategy of international integration.
Once more normalized relations with the neighboring state of reference, in fact, the system could benefit from an expansion of international relations, reducing risks, evident today, forced exposure to a single market. Today, four years later, we are facing an opposite scenario: San Marino urges the Italian counterpart to get to the signing of agreements at the time refused.
Meanwhile our financial system is on the ropes forced to submit to external decisions unilaterally. For this reason I say that we are on the corner.
What prospects do you have this country?
for the San Marino society is tratta di accettare una sfida storica: la più antica repubblica del mondo dovrà saper rigenerare se stessa in questo primo scorcio di nuovo millennio, attraverso uno sforzo collettivo e unitario, e cogliere l’occasione posta dall’attuale difficile crisi per andare oltre gli standard che le sono stati imposti e dimostrare un’autonoma volontà di acquisire capacità produttive d’eccellenza.
Per far ciò dovrà saper attrarre dal mondo esterno forze creative e metterne a frutto il contributo per diventare un attore – sia pur piccolo – dell’economia globale. Cruciale sarà, a tal fine, non soltanto individuare i necessari interventions, but also be able to give high visibility to the work undertaken through an effective communication policy choices.
One of the first steps is still to strengthen cooperation with the European Union. San Marino has to apply for membership to the European Union, mainly because of the increasingly obvious fact of increasing charges by EU rules and conditions for adaptation to European standards in the face of lack of rights and benefits of not being a member of the union.
The Republic shall aim in all cases to strengthen cooperation with the EU, in particular with the Eurosystem for the benefits that ensue from that for the process of financial internationalization
One of the most obvious effects of the social crisis which is affecting our country is the gap that is forming between politics and citizenship. How do you think it was possible, in a small country like ours?
The economic "boom" of the last 20 years had a sharp impact. Personally I do not demonize the state of being achieved. E 'Clearly, this side-effect fact there have been distortions of employees rising from under the Public Administration, thus creating a country-by a two-speed part of the public on the other hand, the private - and finally the lack of a development project well anchored to the evolution of the international community and its standards. With the economic crisis all this has been sorely tested.
How can we get out?
Only by working for a new social pact on productivity and growth. So think of a new social pact between business, trade unions Government and after the disappointing failure of the Tripartite Meeting. The growing burden of public spending and a growing process of globalization require a thorough reflection on the workings of government and of our modern economic system.
Recently we hear stories of all kinds in San Marino. In particular, there is very often the links between politics, financial institutions and organized crime. How much truth is there in your opinion?
The answer in this way. I had the honor to present - during the debate on a financial- Groups amendment ancillary service-PSD-SU-DoC aimed at introducing an article entitled "Fight against organized crime." Article - approved unanimously - indicates clearly that: "It 's Congress mandated the State to prepare a specific action for intensifying the fight against organized crime in order to achieve effective classification system of internal controls the number and training of human resources, in order to ensure as much continuity as bilateral investigations through exchange, cooperation and contributions of experience and knowledge in respect of criminal phenomena. An annual report must be submitted to the Bureau of the Great and General Council. "
believe that this kind of news "surprised" or believes that the population was already aware of the past in these situations "ambiguous"?
The idea of \u200b\u200b'happy island "is a long time that is no longer in vogue. This news, however, always amazed. I do not think it can be otherwise. Not only do they take us off guard but surprised. In this sense we need a strong awareness of the institutions and - relapse - of all citizens.
dell'omertà There is a problem in San Marino?
Certainly there is a problem of not being free when a citizen wants to take a public position. When this happens there is the fear - often based - to be classified and cataloged.
What is your opinion of San Marino of the media (television, newspapers, web portals)?
a positive. There was an undeniable evolution of sector in the last ten years.
believe that the information in San Marino is truly free and independent?
I believe that the plurality of sources to draw upon - including Web sites - is a good deterrent to attempts (we are!) To guide public opinion.
Talking about "grassroots democracy". San Marino is one of the countries in the world with the highest rates of Internet use by the population. A study of the San Marino population conducted in 2006 by two academics (Gallina and Vertecchi) says that it is not surprising, given that the country has no virtually no first or second sector, and focuses most of its workforce in the service industry. In this regard, one of the "new words" European democracy is E-Democracy, or the exercise of democracy through the use of new technologies. Do you think this kind of practice would be fertile ground in a country like San Marino?
I think we have a natural and unavoidable evolution also in San Marino. I see difficulties in the application - in view of our reality - the issue of electronic voting.
But come to think a public-Government is not only possible but necessary. I am in favor to those investments and regulatory compliance initiatives to make available free tools and technologies that help people in communication and in the acquisition and production of information.
Amy Gutman famous American political theorist and Dean of the University of Pennsylvania, said in an essay that democracy is a practice that is taught, and that it should focus on democratic education in schools. No need to go to America but to see practices this type. In Emilia Romagna, for example, there are projects targeted in this way, even if the results are encouraging but not yet satisfactory. Do you think that working on a Democratic training in schools is important?
Absolutely. For example, I support the restoration of civic education in schools of San Marino.
"Renewal" is the word most often heard repeated by politicians of San Marino. We are really at the end of a cycle, or once again just a few small sacrifices to maintain the status quo?
The theme of political renewal will be seeking for years, with some rituals. This is an issue that - while having as main reason for the goal of achieving a change which is to say ideas, values, new institutions in terms of civil, moral and political - is no longer a novelty in the political debate Marino.
The reasons for this "as is" can be manifold. Two, over the last twenty years, were the findings on which - from my point of view - it is focused and structured then it is impossible a spare part or, rather, the ossification of the political class of San Marino.
The first step is surely rise and then found in the crisis, also took place in San Marino, the so-called traditional parties. A fact can hardly be denied, especially when compared to the difficulty of the parties to be properly up to date with our company. A clear aphonia, combined with an obvious lack of breath, which created a highly fragmented and have a deleterious generalization supply policy.
If, in fact, is true as it is true that up to primi anni novanta i partiti erano in grado di riuscire a intercettare tra le proprie fila le variegate sfaccettature della comunità sammarinese, divenendo il riassunto più autentico della San Marino com’era, com’era stata e come stava diventando. Da quel momento in poi si è attuato purtroppo un meccanismo che ha ridotto i partiti a dei veri e propri carrozzoni elettorali.
Dei cartelli elettorali capaci sì a raccattare il consenso ma sempre più vuoti in termini di contenuti, idee e proposte. Il secondo passaggio, strettamente legato al primo, è stato rappresentato dall'alterazione dei meccanismi di selezione della classe dirigente. Le modalità di selezione leadership and the stickiness of the old elites, moreover, favored by low aggressiveness of these young people have also done the rest.
In recent years, and then try "picks" the system focusing on the elimination of the vote abroad. However, data in hand, we saw how that turned out later when you are made to terms of preferences. I would note that many chewed bitter colleagues (the majority and minority) - to the polls closed - reading and commenting on the electoral lists.
Perhaps aware of having to take account, once again, a series of balances which it was hoped to be solved forever. Let's face it now tracks the selection of the leadership of a party shall be assessed on the basis of two criteria: the necessary qualifications for being a candidate (ie those candidates), but above all the power of choice on the candidates (or on those who will be obliged to appoint and support the leadership alike who chose them in turn).
The statutes of the parties do not pose any limitation to our own applications, making it possible to implicitly breaking people from outside. But this circumstance has occurred very rarely, perhaps anche perché la vivacità della nostra società civile ha perso qualche colpo. Ma anche perché il potere di decidere sulle candidature è stato ed è legato spesso a logiche di voluta chiusura e di verticismo.
I protagonisti di una rinascita politica ed economica di un paese peculiare come San Marino non possono che essere i giovani. Crede nelle capacità della gioventù di questo paese?
Ho 34 anni. Sarei un vero pazzo se non confidassi sulle capacità dei giovani sammarinesi.
Siamo vicini al 2011. Cosa si augura per il nuovo anno?
I hope that - after an absolutely schizophrenic - San Marino once again be a "normal country".
Lonfernini thank John for availability.
Happy New Year to all.
SM
