The debate in Italy on whether or not
to build a bridge across the Strait of Messina linking Sicily to
mainland Italy is an "Italy-only delirium", the project's
sponsor, Deputy Premier, Transport Minister and rightwing League
party leader Matteo Salvini said Monday.
The project, which was first championed by late three-time
ex-premier and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi, would build the
world's longest suspension bridge.
It has been delayed due to its high cost, environmental
concerns, and fears of mafia infiltration.
Salvini said recently he was confident the constriction sites
will open by the end of the year.
The bridge currently has a price tag of some 14.6 billion euro
and is scheduled to come into use in the late 2030s.
Salvini told an event organised by the American Chamber of
Commerce in Italy Monday: "Only Italy sees politics divided on
infrastructure, the debate on whether or not to the bridge is an
exclusively Italian delirium, the bridge is sovereignist, the
bridge is fascist, it is Salvini's bridge".
He said "I'm pleased that those abroad are more calm, objective,
curious and that they look at Italy as a model".
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