Maastricht – The President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Stefano Bonaccini, was elected yesterday in Maastricht, Holland, president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the largest European association of local authorities. “I will be president in name of unity and transparency” said Bonaccini which is the first Italian to take office. “The European Union – said – is going through one of the most difficult phases of its history, the same process of European integration seems to have abruptly stopped: Europe needs a strong and shared project and above all, new energy that can and should be provided by local and regional authorities. The European Union – concluded Bonaccini – must overcome the idea that rigor and austerity leading to recover trust among citizens”. Stefano Bonaccini is the first Italian to become president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions. (9Colonne)
