interviews: Maximiliano Crocamo
Comments made by Trieste’s mayor during a City Council session on Thursday evening prompted reactions from local, regional, and national political figures, drawing attention away from the approval of the city’s 2025 budget and toward questions of conduct in public office.
The remarks were made as the council debated and ultimately approved a €810 million municipal budget, which included funding allocations for several projects, among them a proposed cable car. During the discussion, Alessandra Richetti, an opposition councilor from the Five Star Movement (M5S) and a former mayoral candidate, sought to speak against the proposal.
Mayor Roberto Dipiazza interrupted her, saying, “I have never been commanded by a woman — least of all by you,” according to recordings and transcripts of the session. He later added, “Be quiet,” and Ms. Richetti was not permitted to continue speaking.
The budget was approved later that night, but the exchange circulated widely on social media and was reported by national news outlets in the following hours.
In an interview, Ms. Richetti said the incident should not be treated as a routine verbal dispute, arguing that it raised concerns about procedural fairness within the council chamber. She also criticized the decision by the council president not to intervene to restore her speaking time.
Several political figures commented on the episode in subsequent days. Rosaria Capozzi, a regional councilor with the Five Star Movement, described the remarks as unacceptable. Representatives of the Democratic Party also issued statements criticizing the language used during the session.
Everest Bertoli, Trieste’s city councilor for finance, took a different approach, emphasizing the need to focus on the approved budget. “In politics there are always discussions,” he said in an interview. “We have to let go and move on and appreciate the strong budget we have for next year.”
The matter was also raised at the end of the year press conference at the region, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region’s annual event. Asked by a journalist from Il Piccolo about the remarks, the regional governor, Massimiliano Fedriga, responded with: “I could never say something like that,” Mr. Fedriga said. “I am commanded by women — one especially,” he added, referring to his wife. He did not comment further on the actions of the mayor.
Mayor Dipiazza has not released a formal statement addressing the exchange. His office said the council session had been marked by prolonged debate over divisive issues and noted that the budget was approved within the scheduled timeframe.
