(Feb 17) “I know that is a drop in the ocean. The European institutions seem to ignore what is happening to Greece, which is why I’ve thought about an act of generosity and altruism, solidarity and brotherhood: we are sons of Greece”. So speaks Marco Galdi, mayor of Cava de’ Tirreni, town in the province of Salerno, who has decided to donate his February’s salary to the Greek people: “There is a nation in Europe that says to have no brothers. And in this sad moment, they are right: no one in Europe and worldwide give them a little help. And yet Greece ha given to us philosophy and science, poetry and literature, theater and music”. This is the contents of the letter Galdi sent to the Italian Premier Monti, the Greek Prime Minister Papademos, the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament, Barroso and Schulz. “The Greeks gave us civilization – says Galdi -. Where is the Europa our fathers always wanted? Where the Europe of peace and justice among the nations? Where is the Europe the fought with Byron for the independence of Greece? Where is the Europe of culture, history and identity?”. “Abandoning Greece to itself – explains Galdi – means to finally give up the idea of Europe, that idea of we love and want”. Galdi remembers how much the Greek culture has given to Southern Italy and the Campania region in particular: “I think about the archaeological site of Paestum” and explains that “behind my gesture there is an historical reason”. In the years of World War II, in fact, the Greek government in exile was in Cava de’ Tirreni, waiting to return home as soon as Greek would have been freed from the German occupation. Galdi, 46 years, is an administrative lawyer and teaches at the University of Salerno. He is member of the PDL and mayor since two years: “It is a small town but every day there are small and big problems to face”. His salary is around 1.950 euros (gross) per months, for a net of 1.100 euros. (Gil)
WHO IS MARCO GALDI
The mayor Marco Galdi is a lawyer and university professor. He graduated in law at the age of twenty-one with highest honors. Awarded his PhD in constitutional law at the University of Bologna, he taught at the School of Public Administration of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and the Formation School of the Ministry of Justice, and the University of Molise and Salerno, where he is currently an associate professor of constitutional law. Author of numerous scientific publications, he is an expert in administrative law.
