Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala will address the City Council today, reiterating his non-involvement in ongoing urban planning investigations and affirming his commitment to serve his full term until 2027. His statement follows the Democratic Party (PD) publicly endorsing him after a late-night meeting. The PD urged Sala to provide “signals of change to address the city’s new needs.”
The probe into urban management practices, which includes Mayor Sala among those under investigation, could become “an opportunity for a fresh start.” Sala is expected to appear before the council tomorrow. Also present will be Urban Regeneration Councillor Giancarlo Tancredi, for whom prosecutors have requested house arrest. Tancredi has reportedly prepared a resignation letter. The contentious San Siro stadium issue remains unresolved and requires a decision by month’s end.
Separately, the Milan chapter of the National Magistrates Association (ANM) expressed “full solidarity” with prosecutors handling the urban planning case, denouncing them as “victims of attacks merely for doing their jobs.” The ANM condemned “unacceptable criticisms,” including accusations that magistrates seek to “replace the legislator” or act based on “ideological bias.” It defended the judiciary’s exclusive role in interpreting laws and upholding constitutional principles like the presumption of innocence.
Prosecutors allege the investigation also focuses on public or formerly public lands, particularly state-owned areas, which they claim were transferred to private entities without regard for “public interest.” They assert this occurred through a “vast number of modified program agreements,” implemented even during administrative reviews of private proposals. Projects cited include railway yards (like Porta Romana for the Olympic Village), military barracks, and the Piazzale Loreto area.
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