ROME (ITALPRESS) – “These were not protests. But attacks bordering on subversion, violent, unjustifiable.” Thus, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, on the subject of student protests, which depicted her face covered with bloodied hands and her name associated with a donkey-shaped puppet. “In Turin,” she adds, “the police were attacked with a rudimentary device. This is not protest. Protest, even if radical, is always legitimate in a context of respect for democratic rules. Here we are in the presence of crimes in the face of which we need the utmost severity from everyone. Neither the government nor the undersigned are intimidated. “The climate of hatred is in the facts and, in the opposition to the government, they are playing with all the grass: ideologized extremism that disguises itself as a student movement, fake pacifism that feeds on anti-Zionist hatred and anti-Western spirit,” he stresses. “In this context, the words of those who evoke social revolt or castor oil do not help to dilute the climate. To Elly Schlein and Maurizio Landini I would like to say that the best tradition of the Italian left lies in the defense of democracy. And that democracy is a framework that we must all preserve. “Regarding the issues raised by the students, in the Budget Bill for the University there will be “no cuts,” Minister Bernini assures. “From 2025 the Funding Fund will rise above the record levels of 2023. And we will pay special attention to some places of need, such as the salaries of medical residents. There will be an increase in the amount for all and an additional 50 percent increase for specialties such as resuscitation, emergency-urgent medicine, genetics, and infectious diseases. And on research we put 300 million over two years to ensure the best Pnrr projects look beyond 2026.” As for the university housing project, “the call for proposals is open. We have 13,000 beds already fundable. The money is there, over 1.2 billion, but universities, mayors, municipalities must support us. I renew my call for this extraordinary social housing operation to see them all involved. We need a jolt of participation from everyone.” Moreover, he adds, “The 880 million for scholarships is an answer. The 140 euros in rent subsidy to the neediest students, regardless of university performance, is an answer. The additional 190 million with which we are funding Law 338 for university residences is a response. As are the 35 million from the Ordinary Fund earmarked for the support of psychological well-being to which we add the 20 million from the Pro-ben fund for psychophysical well-being.” And on reform for Medicine, “at the end of November the Senate will approve the proxy bill. The framework is outlined and we are already working on the contents. This is another reform that responds to those who call for an open and inclusive university. Stop entrance tests. And above all, no more ‘one shot’ solutions that paradoxically force us to hire foreign doctors. Let’s train Italian doctors in Italy. Whom we want to retain and protect.”- photo Agenzia Fotogramma -(ITALPRESS).
