Taranto Mayor Piero Bitetti has resigned approximately 50 days after his election, citing a “politically uninhabitable environment” in his resignation letter filed with the municipal protocol. The decision follows intense protests from citizens and environmental groups after a meeting concerning the future of the former Ilva steel plant.
Upon leaving the meeting, which preceded a July 30th city council session dedicated to the government’s proposed decarbonization agreement, a group of protesters blocked Mayor Bitetti’s exit, chanting “murderers, murderers.” Security concerns forced Bitetti to retreat back inside City Hall.
“Have respect for our limitations,” Bitetti had stated earlier. “We are taking notes to understand every aspect of this highly complex dispute.” He had offered to meet other association representatives the following morning. “We are here to defend our territory,” Bitetti declared during the meeting. “Not a single night has passed since my proclamation on June 17th without me thinking about the former Ilva. The first draft agreement was sent to us on June 18th with a request for approval within 48 hours. We stated that the proposed 13-year transition period is too long. We need a more respectful approach.”
Environmental groups issued harsh criticism, demanding the “defense of the right to life” in unison. Pediatrician Annamaria Moschetti (Cultural Association of Pediatricians and Peacelink) cited “irrefutable data: a 50% increase in autism spectrum disorders compared to the provincial average. The precautionary principle requires halting exposure without waiting for the final scientific study.”
Bitetti’s resignation comes just hours before two critical events: the July 30th special council session and a July 31st summit at the Ministry of Enterprise (Mimit). His departure now risks creating an institutional void during a pivotal moment for the city’s future. As required by law, the mayor has 20 days to confirm or withdraw his resignation.