The regional council of the Wind has passed a resolution that puts the rulers of the region on the same plane of the worst dictators in the world. Stuff of which to be proud.
The Veneto is in good company today. Together with Kim Jong-un’s North Korea, Bashar al-Assad’s Syria and Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, Luca Zaia’s Veneto has recognized the Russian annexation of the Crimea. The resolution passed by the 27 councilors of the North League party, is both something much more and much less than a political act. Its promoter, Stefano Valdegamberi, clearly said it. “It is time to say enough to the absurd, unjust and ineffective,sanctions”, he said. “Moscow has respondedto the sanctions with an embargo which is causing serious damage to the economy of Veneto.” The Crimea and the Crimeans, in short, have nothing to do with the resolution. It’s all about schèi (“money” in Veneto’s dialect).
A not legally binding act
The news spread the Ukrainian and Russian media, making the first gloat and get angry the seconds. From RT to RiaNovosti, to the Tassnews agency, the news of the “recognition” rolled like a snowball down a slope. Andbecame an avalanche. Up to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, who called “Veneto’s resolution another sign showing that the policy of anti-Russian sanctions had ended in deadlock”.
The document voted by the Regional Council, of course, isnot legally binding. It is a resolution of principles to “promote the establishment of a Committee against the sanctions to Russia for the recognition of the right to self determination of the Crimea and for the defense of Veneto’s export.” An act which has no power to change Italy’s foreign policy or in any way give the Russian occupation legitimacy of the Ukrainian peninsula. However, it clearly shows the consideration that the local lawmakers have of the population of Crimea. The peninsula issueis put on the background of trade relations with Russia. European sanctions, Russian retaliation, economic and political interests are topics that would be valid in Pyongyang and Damascus. It hurts to see that they are also valid in Venice
Do-it-yourself self-determination
The “referendum” was the slap in the face loudest supporters of self determination. It was a caricature of democracy, whose organizers have managed to violate all the possible rules in a vote, even those of common sense. It has taken place at 10 days’ notice, without a proper campaign or public debate, with the political leaders of the country being unable to visit Crimea, and under a Russian military occupation.
It was a fair of democracy, supporters say. And indeed like in a town festival, there were crowds of voters going to and fro in the polling stations with an open bulletin in their hand, unfolded bulletins casted in transparent ballot boxes, sometimes by happy children, how-to-vote samples showing… how to vote “yes”. Finally, the questions on the ballots. The two options were: 1. “Are you in favor of unifying Crimea with Russia as part of the Russian Federation?” 2. “Are you in favor of the restoration of the 1992 constitution and the status of Crimea as part of Ukraine?”. The second question was a bit difficult: the constitution of 1992 was adopted after the collapse of the USSR and immediately canceled by Kiev because it gave to Crimea the status of an independent entity.
People who wanted to express the desire to remain part of Ukraine could only choose between becoming part of Russia now or a little further.
Probably some would like the same to happen in Veneto.
@daniloeliatweet
The regional council of the Wind has passed a resolution that puts the rulers of the region on the same plane of the worst dictators in the world. Stuff of which to be proud.
