When an Italian journalist launched his bid to become a mayor in Sicily in 2017 he did not expect his campaign trail to lead him to a dimly-lit basement for a negotiation on vote-buying with a mafia boss.
Ismaele La Vardera’s run for the mayoralty of Palermo ended in crushing defeat - but secretly recorded footage of his campaign is set to electrify the country when it is released as a documentary film next month in an expose of the seamy underbelly of Italian politics.
La Vardera, 22, who ran on an independent ticket, is promising an “x-ray of power like you’ve never seen it before” after being asked to strike deals with both the right-wing ruling League and Sicily’s powerful criminals during his campaign for office.
The deal-making involved a secretly-recorded two-hour meeting with deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, whose right-wing party was looking for a powerful ally in the island that is best-known for its powerful mafia. La Vardera declined to reveal what was said during the meeting before the release of the film “Italian Politics” next month.
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The film also details his meeting with a relative of the imprisoned mafia boss Gino “U Mitra” Abbate in the basement of an apartment building in Palermo. “What was striking was that I had been brought there by a politician,” the journalist said.
There, he was offered a deal: 300 votes in the district will cost him €30 each. “Here we decide who people will vote for, otherwise they don’t vote,” the mafia contact told him.
“I thought we had moved on from that,” said La Vardera.
The documentary also sheds light on how Salvatore Cuffaro – a former governor of Sicily who served almost five years in jail for aiding the mafia organization Cosa Nostra – is still holding the reins of Italian politics in the south. "He was directing the elections as if he was the screenwriter in a movie," La Vardera told The National.
In a scene filmed in Mr Cuffaro’s home, the convicted politician tries to convince La Vardera to support the candidate running with another party, Forza Italia.
In exchange, he offers a position in local government or in a coalition party in the next round of national elections.
“If you play with us, I will do what it takes so that you’ll be elected,” he said.
When the journalist later revealed having recorded the conversation, Mr Cuffaro expressed confidence that business would go on as usual.
“There are already tonnes of wiretaps about me in court. The conversations you have recorded between me and you, will not change anything,” he said.
The secret filming has raised ethical questions about La Vardera’s motives and a judge had been asked to rule whether it was lawful to run a campaign for the purposes of making a film.
An Italian judge has since ruled that the campaign was authentic and that the decision to film came after he became a candidate.
“I hope the documentary will spark debate and lead people to reflect on who they are voting for,” said La Vardera.
He secured a meagre 2.7 per cent of the vote at the June 2017 election.
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
The specs
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Transmission: Eight-speed auto
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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')
Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Race card
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5